Cell pathology 5- The autopsy

Question 1

List 11 types of death that must be reported to the coroner

Answer 1

COD UNKOWN

NOT BEEN SEEN BY DOCTOR after death or within 14 days before death

VIOLENT, UNNATURAL or SUSPICIOUS

ACCIDENT

NEGLECT

INDUSTRIAL DISEASE - EMPLOYMENT

ABORTION

SURGICAL OPERATION

SUICIDE

POLICE or PRISON CUSTODY

POISONING

Question 2

Why is the coroners autopsy done?

Answer 2

Aim: Establish cause of death

Once coroner has the cause of death, his remit is over

Question 3

Why is a hospital autopsy done?

Answer 3

Allows a thorough examination of the deceased, the extent of their disease, their treatment and its effects

Useful for audit

Monitoring effectiveness of new treatments

Teaching

Research

Question 4

Describe a bruise

Answer 4

A blunt trauma injury

Occurs alone or is associated with other injuries

DEFINITION: Bruise = an extravasated collection of blood which has leaked from damaged small arteries, venules and veins but not capillaries

Occurs more easily where the skin is lax

Fragility of vessels and coagulation state affect bruising

You can bruise after death

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO AGE A BRUISE

Question 5

Describe an abrasion

Answer 5

DEFINITION: a graze or scratch

It is the most superficial of blunt trauma injuries

CONFINED TO THE EPIDERMIS

Can occur before and after death

Due to tangential force - may have distal skin tag - e.g. friction burn

Due to vertical force - no distal skin tag - e.g. stamp

Question 6

Describe a laceration

Answer 6

DEFINITION: a split to the skin due to BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA

Usually passes through the full thickness of the skin

Lacerations are deep and will bleed

Margins are ragged with crushing and bruising

Bridging fibres arch across the skin defect

Common where skin can be COMPRESSED between the force and underlying bone - e.g. scalp, elbow, shin

Rare over soft fleshy ares - e.g. breast, buttocks

Flaying - tangential applied force leading to horizontal laceration

Question 7

Describe a cut

Answer 7

DEFINITION: the length of the injury is LONGER than its depth

Length > Depth

Question 8

Describe a stab

Answer 8

DEFINITION: the depth of the wound is greater than the width

Depth > Width

Question 9

Describe Cut and Stab Wounds

Answer 9

Caused by object with a sharp or cutting edge

Edges are clean and margins are clear

Minimal injury to surrounding tissues

Information about weapon type can be gained from the wound

NOTE: incised wounds - to some this means cuts AND stabs - to others it just means cuts