AUTOPSY

What Can They Tell Us?

Definition and Purpose

• Postmortem examination

• Purpose -help determine why (cause of death) and how (manner of death) the person died

Who Can Do An Autopsy?

Is generally performed by a pathologist –a doctor with training and expertise in the examination of body tissues and fluids

Who Can Do An Autopsy?

Medical examiner's or coroner's office - the governmental office responsible for investigating deaths important to the public's health and welfare.

When An Autopsy MUST Be Performed :

• 1. Sudden or unexpected death

• 2. Under suspicious circumstances

• 3. As a result of an injury

• For these reasons, consent of next of kin is not needed

Reasons for Autopsy

• Determines which disease or injury caused the death

• Confirm or exclude a diagnosis made before death –help understand how a disease progresses

• Genetic Testing• Evaluate possible public

health issues

Preparing for the Autopsy

• I, (printed name) ________________ the (relationship to the deceased) ____________ of the deceased,

• ________________, being entitled by law to control the disposition of the remains, hereby request the

• pathologist of (name of hospital) _________________________ to perform an autopsy on the body of said deceased. I

• If autopsy is not required by law, it cannot be done until

the next of kin gives permission

• Consent form must be signed in the presence of a witness

• Review records and medical history

Autopsy Procedure

• External physical exam• 1. Body tag• 2. Weighed and measured• 3. Clothing and valuables

are identified and recorded• 4. Scars, tattoos, injuries,

wounds, and bruised are recorded on a body diagram

• 5. Foreign objects noted

Autopsy Procedure

• Photes and Xrays are taken• Complete internal exam

done• 1. Dissection of head and

abdomen• 2. Organs removed,

weighed, measured, and examined (some organs are placed in formalin which is a preservative)

Autopsy Procedure• Internal exam (continued)• 3. Tissue samples examined

under a microscope• 4. Fluid samples taken and

tested for drugs and infectiom• Blood from heart• Vitreous gel from eyes• Bile from gallbladder• Contents of stomach• Urine

AutopsyProcedure

Written report is prepared that addresses the autopsy findings

After autopsy is complete – legal death certificate is signed

Autopsy Results• Final report may

take weeks to months as specialized tests are completed.

• Natural death –death occurred as a result of a disease or from the natural effects of old age

Autopsy Results• Unnatural death-

death resulted from an unnatural, unusual, or suspicious caused

• Homicide• Suicide• Accident (fire, • drowning)• Undetermined

Methods to Determine Time of Death

• Traditional Indicators• Rigor mortis• Begins 3 hours after

death in face and eyelid muscles

• Takes 12 hours to affect entire body

• Process reverses after 36 hours

Methods to Determine Time of Death

• Lividity (Hypostasis)• Pooling of blood and fluid in

a deceased body after death – in dependent or lower portions

• Visible 30 -60 minutes after death

• Red cells settle and skin belows turns red or purple

• In 6-10 hours, color becomes permanent

Methods to Determine The Time of Death

• Body Temperature• Fall at rate of one

degree per hour• Obesity and warm

environment slows cooling

The End