Lessons from the Autopsy

Question 1

What is the definition of an autopsy?

Answer 1

an examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death

Question 2

What is meant by ‘post mortem’?

Answer 2

done, occurring or collected after death

Question 3

What are the 3 main reasons why post mortems are performed for society?

Answer 3

1. to document accurate data about the health of the population
2. for notification of communicable diseases
3. for education

Question 4

What are the 3 main reasons why post mortems are performed for the family?

Answer 4

1. to explain what happened to their loved one and aid the grieving process
2. genetic testing
3. to provide evidence for legal proceedings

Question 5

What are the 2 types of post mortem?

Answer 5

1. coroners post mortem

2. hospital/consent post mortem

Question 6

What is the main difference between hospital and coroners post mortems?

Answer 6

Coroners post mortem involves informing the family but does NOT need consent

Hospital post mortem needs appropriate conent

Question 7

Why is a coroners PM performed?

What are the 2 types?

Answer 7

to find out how someone died

It can be forensic or non-forensic

Question 8

Why/when is a hospital PM performed?

Answer 8

undertaken at a doctor’s request to learn more about disease processes

can be partial - just a biopsy

Question 9

What % of PMs are coroners PMs?

Answer 9

> 95%

Question 10

What are the 4 steps involved in performing an autopsy?

Answer 10

1. external exam
2. evisceration
3. dissection of organs
4. reconstruction

Question 11

What is the first thing that must be done in an external exam?

Answer 11

Check the patient’s wristband for their ID

Question 12

Why might rigor mortis be seen in external examination?

What is this?

Answer 12

Stiffness of the body after death due to a loss of ATP from the body’s muscles

Question 13

What is hypostasis?

Answer 13

the accumulation of fluid or blood in the lower parts of the body or organs under the influence of gravity, as occurs in cases of poor circulation or after death

Question 14

What other signs might be looked for on external examination?

Answer 14

1. ligature
2. stab wounds
3. old surgical scars
4. signs of decomposition

Question 15

What is meant by ligature?

Answer 15

a thing used for tying or binding something tightly

Question 16

What is meant by evisceration?

What is the first stage in evisceration?

Answer 16

the removal of viscera (internal organs)

first, an incision must be made

Question 17

In what order are organs removed during evisceration?

Answer 17

1. removal of anterior part of rib cage
2. removal of small and large intestines
3. removal of tongue, larynx, thoracic organs, abdominal organs and pelvic organs in 1/2/3 ‘blocks’

Question 18

What must be done with the organs after they have been removed?

Answer 18

Each organ must be examined and weighed separately

Question 19

What is involved in dissecting the organs after removal?

Answer 19

Toxicology or histology reports may be required

Question 20

How is the brain examined?

Answer 20

the skull is opened and then the brain is sliced

Question 21

When writing a cause of death, how is the form split into sections?

Answer 21

There is the ‘underlying cause of death’ that should appear in the lowest completed line of Part 1

There may be other significant conditions contributing to the death, but not causing it