Abstract: In one embodiment, a death tag for targeting a cell death marker is provided, the death tag comprising a death marker binding domain; a reporter binding domain (RBD); and a reporter component that is associated with the reporter binding domain. In another embodiment, a method of determining the efficacy of a cancer treatment is provided. The method may comprise administering to a subject an effective dose of a death tag that targets apoptotic, necrotic or dead cells; exposing the subject to an imaging technique; determining that the cancer treatment is effective when the imaging technique detects the presence of the death tag. In another embodiment, an in vivo, ex vivo, or in vitro method of determining the need for a treatment or determining the efficacy of a treatment in cell, tissue, and organ injuries.