The Autopsy

Question 1

list reason for conducting an autopsy

Answer 1

• unknown c.o.d
• deceased not seen by dr after or 14 days before death
• death was suspicious
• death was due to accident
• death was due to neglect
• death due to industrial disease/employment
• death due to abortion
• due occurred in operation or before recovery from anaesthetic
• suicide
• occurred shortly after detention in police custody
• related to poisoning

Question 2

what does a coroner’s autopsy do?

Answer 2

establish c.o.d
no consent needed
only material taken if related to c.o.d

Question 3

why is a hospital autopsy done?

Answer 3

needs consent
investigates discrepancies between listed and actual c.o.d
allows thorough examination of deceased, disease extent, treatment
monitors treatment effectiveness
teaching/research

Question 4

why is knowing c.o.d important?

Answer 4

epidemiology data

Question 5

how is an autopsy conducted?

Answer 5

incision from neck to pelvis
chest cavity and organs removed
organs dissected for abnormalities

Question 6

give causes for sudden unexpected death

Answer 6

CV disease
-hypertensive heart and disease
-cardiomyopathy
Vascular system 
CNS system
resp system
GI tracts
drugs/alcohol
trauma

Question 7

what is a bruise/contusion?

Answer 7

blunt trauma injury with skin intact

extarversated collection of blood which has leaked from blood vessels that are damaged

Question 8

where do bruises occur?

Answer 8

lax skin, deep or pattered

Question 9

define abrasion, give an example

Answer 9

superficial, confined to epidermis but may extend into superficial dermis due to tangential or vertical force
e.g. graze, scratch

Question 10

define laceration

Answer 10

split to the skin due to blunt force over-strecthing of skin, full thickness

Question 11

define cut

Answer 11

length of wound greater than depth

Question 12

define stab

Answer 12

depth of wound greater than width