Autopsy Flashcards
What does coroners law involve?
-Post mortem examination
-Registration
-Inquests
-Disposal
What does the human tissue act involve?
-Retention and disposal of human tissue
-Consent
What is the medical certificate of cause of death?
States the official cause of death
What is the death certificate?
A certified copy of the entry in the death register
What is the green form?
Certificate for burial or cremation:
-Proof of next of kin
-Proof of death
What is the cremation form?
Additional forms are required for cremation
What are the different roles regarding an autopsy?
-Coroner
-Coroners officer
-Pathologist
-APT
-Medical examiner
What is the role of the coroner?
-Decides whether or not a post mortem is performed
-Resides over inquests
-Concludes manner of death
What is the role of the coroners officer?
-Attends scene of death
-Gathers info
-Acts on behalf of coroner
-Liaises with family
What is the role of the pathologist?
-Lab based
-Performs the post mortem
-Establishes cause of death
-Performs diagnostic histology duties
What is the role of an APT?
-Assists pathologist
-Mortuary maintenance
-Custody of deceased
What is the role of the medical examiner?
-Senior doctor
-Provides safeguards for the public
-Provides better service for the bereaved
What is a post mortem?
-Examination after death
-Doesn’t have to be internal
When is a post mortem needed?
-Unexpected
-Unnatural
-Unknown
-Suspicious
-Death in custody
Why are post mortems needed?
-Public interest
-Cause of death
-Reconstruct events
-Insurance
-Mortality records
-Make legislative changes
What are the different types of post mortem?
-Coroners
-Forensic
-Hospital
-Paediatric
-High risk
-Independant
-Start stop
-Toxicology only
-Non-invasive
What is a coroners post mortem?
-Consent not required
-Cause of death
-Pathologist determines COD
What is a forensic post mortem?
-Consent not required
-Suspicious deaths
-Evidence collection
-Reconstruction of events
What is a hospital post mortem?
-Consent by family
-Known COD
-Death registered
-Information gathering
What is a paediatric post mortem?
-Specialised
What is a high risk post mortem?
-Infectious disease
-Intravenous drug users
What is an independent post mortem?
-Possible disagreement with treatment
-Second opinion
What is a start stop post mortem?
-Possibly suspicious
-Police in attending
What is a toxicology only post mortem?
-Obvious COD
-Contributing factors
What is a non invasive COD?
-Suspected COD
-MRI scanning
What is the process of a post mortem?
-Identity confirmation
-External exam
-Evisceration
-Toxicology
-Organs weighed
-Dissection
-Histology
-Reconstruction
-Cleaning
-Storage
What is looked for during an external examination?
-Wounds
-Tattoos
-Growths
-Piercings
-Skin condition
-Scars
-Evidence of medical intervention
-Ligatures
What are the different incisions used during evisceration?
-Y
-I
-Modified Y
-Head - mastoid to mastoid
What is the process of reconstruction?
-Removal of excess fluid
-Packing
-Suturing
-Cleaning
-Wash hair
-Body bag
What is a forensic post mortem?
-Performs evisceration and dissection
-Extensive documentation
-Crime scene examiners present
-Sample collection for ID
-Police attendance
