The autopsy Flashcards
What is an autopsy?
a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease
What are the 2 types of autopsy?
Hospital autopsies <10%
Medico-Legal autopsies >90%
What are the 3 types of death?
Presumed natural
Presumed iatrogenic
Presumed unnatural
Presumed natural
Cause of death not known
Not seen by a doctor for illness within 14 days
Presumed iatrogenic
Patient care caused death (rare) Peri/postoperative deaths Anaesthetic deaths Abortion Complications of therapy
Presumed unnatural
Accidents Industrial death Suicide Unlawful killing Neglect Custody deaths War/industrial pensions
Who performs autopsies?
Histopathologists
Forensic pathologists
What kind of autopsies do histopathologists perform?
Hospital and coronial autopsies. Natural deaths Drowning Suicide Accidents Road traffic Deaths Fire deaths Industrial deaths Peri/post operative deaths
What kind of autopsies do forensic pathologists perform?
Coronial autopsies Homicide Death in custody Neglect Any deaths which may be due to the action of a third party.
What is the role of the coronial autopsy?
To answer 4 questions
- Who was the deceased
- When did they die?
- Where did they die?
- How did they come about their death?
Original 5 steps of an autopsy?
History/Scene (police report and medical record)
External examination
Evisceration (remove all internal organs)
Internal examination
Reconstruction
What else is included in an autopsy?
Microbiology Toxicology Radiology Genetics Histology Digital photography
What does an external examination involve?
Identification (gender, age, body habitus, jewellery, body modification, clothing)
Disease and treatment
Injuries
What does Evisceration involve?
Y shaped incision Open all body cavities Examine organs in situ Remove thoracic and abdominal organs Remove brain
