Learning From The Dead

Question 1

What are the 3 types of autopsy?

Answer 1

Medicolegal- performed on behalf of HM coroner, no consent needed

Forensic- subtype of coroner’s post mortems, suspicious deaths

Consent (hospital)- consent from next of kin, may limit examination

Question 2

What is involved in an autopsy?

Answer 2

History (often limited to coroner’ cases)

External examinations- natural disease, injury, medical intervention, +/- imaging

Internal examination- all systems examined in most cases but sometimes limited (especially in consent cases)

Question 3

What additional tests may be carried out during an autopsy? (5)

Answer 3

Histology- for making/confirming a diagnosis

Toxicology- tests blood/urine/bile etc for therapeutic/recreational drugs

Biochemistry- diabetic/alcoholic ketoacidosis, renal failure

Microbiology- bacteria, viruses, fungi

Genetics- DNA fingerprinting

Question 4

What are the types of specialised autopsies?

Answer 4

Neuropathology:

• specialised branch of cellular pathology
• trauma
• neurodegenerative disease
• research eg CJD

Paediatric pathology/autopsies:

• deaths in Utero
• perinatal deaths
• death in infancy
• suspicious deaths (in conjunction with forensic pathology)
• challenging emotionally and technically
• vital in providing answers for grieving families and medial staff
• parents want to know about ‘next time’
• medicolegal issues
• safeguarding issues
• teaching and research

Forensic pathology:

• small specialty
• more than just autopsy

Question 5

In summary, what is an autopsy used for?

Answer 5

An autopsy provides explanations for families, forms part of the legal process, confirms or refutes criminality and raises or alleviates concerns in health and social care settings.