2. Forensic Autopsy | Cause, Mechanism & Manner of Death Flashcards
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Define “Autopsy”
- Post-Mortem examination of the body
- Only performed based on instructions of legal authority responsible for an investigation
- Done for sudden, suspicious, obscure or criminal deaths - performed by Forensic Pathologist
- Main Objective = Determine Cause of Death + Collect Evidence
What are the Objects of Legal Autopsy?
1) Determine Cause of Death
2) Find how injuries occurred
3) Find out Manner of Death
4) To establish identity
5) Collecting evidence to identify the object causing death / criminal
6) Retaining relevant Organs as evidence
7) Determine the live-birth + Viability = In Newborn Infants
What are the Main Steps Taken in an Autopsy?
1) Body’s received in the morgue and is refrigerated / stored until time of examination
2) Usually performed within 24h of death - BEFORE Putrefaction occurs
3) External Exam = Of the skin + body parts - determining the age, gender, race + time of death - identifying scars, tattoos, presence of wounds
4) Internal Exam = Of the internal organs and searching for evidence about disease, trauma, substances or organ failure
How is an Internal Examination Performed?
1) Y-Cut = Cut behind each ear and down to the neck, where both cuts meet, at top of sternum; followed by one cut down to groin
2) T-Cut = Cut from each shoulder down to the top of the sternum; followed by one cut down to groin
3) I-Cut = Linear cut from neck to the groin
What is the Order of Examination?
1) Head = A transverse section / examining of the skull bones, for fractures
2) Brain = Searching for injuries, effusion of blood, or tumour
- 1st = Cerebellum - by cutting parallel
- 2nd = Opening the ventricles to examine
3) Thorax
4) Abdomen
- Virchow’s = ALL organs from thorax + abdo cavity are removed one-by-one
- Rokitansky’s = ALL organs from thorax + abdo cavity are removed together; then examined separately
How is theThorax Examined?
1) Disarticulating BOTH Sternoclavicular joints - examine the sternum + ribs
2) Puncturing mid-axillary line = IF Pneumothorax is SUSPECTED
3) Open Thoracic Cavity = Examine the oesophagus, trachea, pericardium, BVs and neck structures
How are the Lungs Examined?
1) Examineeach lung - examining for collapse, emphysema or puncture hemorrhage
2) Cut down midline from apex to base - examine surface for, edema, tumor, pneumonia or contusion
How is the Heart Examined?
- In the direction of blood flow - so following the atrium to ventricle; followed by pulmonary artery / aorta
1) RIGHT Side = Atrum -> Ventricle -> Pulmonary Artery
2) LEFT Side = Atrum -> Ventricle -> Aorta
How is the Abdomen Examined?
- Opened to search for fluids - such as pus, blood or serous fluid
- Peritoneal Cavity may show inflammation / necrosis
- Examination of Organs in this cavity - such as Spleen, Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Uterus + Ovaries (Women), Prostate Gland (Men)
How is the Stomach Examined?
- Remove + wash it
- Cut in Greater Curve + open widely
- Contents are collected into container
- Gastric Mucosa - examined for inflammation, erosions or ulcerations
How is the Liver Examined?
- Create sections along long-axis
- Searching for any pathologies - congestion, fatty dystrophy, cirrhosis, ruptures etc…*
- Also examine the Gall Bladder too!
How is the Pancreas Examined?
- NOT Normal to inspect - UNLESS for a SPECIFIC Reason
- Examined for - acute necrosis, influenxa infx or acute pancreatitis
How are the Kidneys Examined?
- They’re exposed via INCISING Capsules
- Cut thru length to assess interior surface
- Normal Width = 1cm
- Pyramids of Kidneys are also examined!
Define “Cause of Death”
- Disease / Injury that produces physiological disruption in the body - resulting in death
- E.g. a stab wound of the chest
Define “Mechanism of Death”
- It’s the physiological derangement - DUE to cause of death
E.g. loss of blood
