Lecture 3 - Autopsy Flashcards
What is an autopsy?
an examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death
What is a post portem?
done, occurring, or collected after death
What is the Coroner’s PM position?
Undertaken at the request of the Coroner to find out how somebody died (includes possible murders= Forensic PMs)
What is a consent/ Hospital PM?
Undertaken at the request of doctors/ relatives to learn more about disease processes/ symptoms during life.
The cause of death is already known before starting the PM.
When doe the family need to be informed but do not need consent?
Coroner’s PM
Does the Hospital PM need consent?
Yes every part of the autopsy needs consent.
What percentage of PMs are Coroners?
95%
What percentage of PMs are Hospitals?
5%
What does the Coroners and justice Act 2009 state?
a coroner has a duty to investigate a death:
IF A coroner is made aware a body is in their area AND There is reason to suspect that: (a)the deceased died a violent or unnatural death OR (b)the cause of death is unknown OR (c)the deceased died while in custody or otherwise in state detention
what are some examples of unnatural or violent deaths?
Due to surgical/ medical intervention
Due to delay in surgical/ medical intervention
Drugs (illicit drugs or prescribed drugs)
Acute alcohol toxicity
Suicide
After a fall
After a car crash
Due to neglect
Related to occupation
What is the human tissue act (2004)?
Prevents:
Removing, storing or using human tissue for Scheduled Purposes without appropriate consent.
Storing or using human tissue donated for a Scheduled Purpose for another purpose.
Trafficking in human tissue for transplantation purposes.
Carrying out licensable activities without holding a licence from the HTA.
Having human tissue, including hair, nail, and gametes, with the intention of its DNA being analysed, without the consent of the person from whom the tissue came or of those close to them if they have died
What is the human tissue act (2004)?
Prevents:
Removing, storing or using human tissue for Scheduled Purposes without appropriate consent.
Storing or using human tissue donated for a Scheduled Purpose for another purpose.
Trafficking in human tissue for transplantation purposes.
Carrying out licensable activities without holding a licence from the HTA.
Having human tissue, including hair, nail, and gametes, with the intention of its DNA being analysed, without the consent of the person from whom the tissue came or of those close to them if they have died
Who are WTA?
Regulates any organisation that are involved and use tissue.
What is the descending order of relative consent\/
a) spouse or partner
b) parent or child
c) brother or sister
d) grandparent or grandchild
e) niece or nephew
f) stepfather or stepmother
g) half-brother or half-sister
h) friend of longstanding
What makes consent valid?
For consent to be valid it must be given voluntarily, by an appropriately informed person who has the capacity to agree to the activity in question
