This ProxyConverter can be used with AutoMapper to help when converting Entity Framework proxied objects (i.e. DynamicProxy_xxxxxxx). Room for improvement. See: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3441916/automapper-mapping-issue-with-inheritance-and-abstr

gistfile1.cs

// See: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3441916/automapper-mapping-issue-with-inheritance-and-abstract-base-class-on-collection/5749579#5749579
//
// For use with AutoMapper
public class ProxyConverter<TSource, TDestination> : ITypeConverter<TSource, TDestination>
    where TSource : class
    where TDestination : class
{
    public TDestination Convert(ResolutionContext context)
    {
        // Get dynamic proxy base type
        var baseType = context.SourceValue.GetType().BaseType;

        // Return regular map if base type == Abstract base type
        if (baseType == typeof(TSource))
            baseType = context.SourceValue.GetType();

        // Look up map for base type
        var destType = (from maps in Mapper.GetAllTypeMaps()
                       where maps.SourceType == baseType
                       select maps).FirstOrDefault().DestinationType;

        return Mapper.DynamicMap(context.SourceValue, baseType, destType) as TDestination;
    }
}

// Usage (AutoMapper configuration)

Mapper.CreateMap<AbstractClass, AbstractViewModel>()
    .ConvertUsing(new ProxyConverter<AbstractClass, AbstractViewModel>());

// Add derived maps here (note: do not use .Include<> syntax)
Mapper.CreateMap<DerivedClassA, DerivedClassAViewModel>();

// Usage (when mapping)
return Mapper.Map<IEnumerable<AbstractClass>, IEnumerable<AbstractClassViewModel>>(listOfDerivedClasses);