Post-mortem examination

Question 1

What is autopsy?

Answer 1

This examination includes:
A complete evaluation of the medical history and the
events leading to death.

The collection and documentation of trace evidence
on and around the body

Question 2

Types of autopsy

Answer 2

Clinical or Academic or
Hospital Autopsy

Medico-legal or Forensic
Autopsy

Question 3

Clinical autopsy

Answer 3

Written permission of the next of kin.

Diagnosis, extent of the lesions, for academic interest, teaching and research purposes.

Effects of drugs/therapies on the course of
disease.

Question 4

Forensic autopsy

Answer 4

The legal authority vary from country to
country;
◦ Coroner
◦ Procurator fiscal
◦ Medical examiner
◦ Magistrate
◦ Judge
◦ Police

Question 5

Objective for forensic autopsy

Answer 5

What happened- Circumstances
Who– Identification of the
deceased
When– Time of death
Where– Place of death
Why– Cause of death
How– Manner and mechanism
of death

Question 6

Authorisation and consent

Answer 6

Coroner (established in 1194)
Relatives not consulted for their
consent
Permission for the retention of material is usually covered

Question 7

Identification of the body

Answer 7

Identified by a relative or
friend

In mutilated bodies: clothing,
jewellery and relative documents

Body tags: name, address, serial
no. and other relevant details

Medical records

Question 8

External examination

Answer 8

The external examination consists of inspecting the
physical outer layer of the body for signs of foul play
that would result in injury or death.

Question 9

Internal examination

Answer 9

The internal examination consists of inspecting the
internal organs of the body for evidence of trauma or
other indications of the cause of death.

Question 10

Eyes examined for

Answer 10

Petechial haemorrhage
False eye
Lens opacity
Other defects

Question 11

Mouth examined for

Answer 11

Foreign body
Drugs
Damaged teeth
Injured gums and lips Dried powder: recent intake
of poison
Bleeding
Tongue

Question 12

Genitalia examined for

Answer 12

Bleeding/discharge
Injuries (fresh mucosal tears)
Infections
Abnormalities

Question 13

Incisions

Answer 13

Standard midline:
Laryngeal prominence to pubis.
Commonly used

‘Y-shape’ incision:
Preferred in cases of
strangulation, hanging.

‘‘T-shape’ incision:
Also called subclavicular incision

Question 14

Ancillary investigations

Answer 14

After gross examination,
wide range of samples are
collected:
Microbiology (common in
clinical autopsy)
Toxicology