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Concept Answers to Autopsy
1- Define Autopsy?
('Auto' = Self, 'Opis' =
View)
Autopsy is the Examination of Dead Body after Death.
2- Name various types of Autopsies?
Types:
1- Forensic or Medicolegal Autopsy.
2- Medical or Hospital Autopsy.
3- Mini Autopsy.
4- Psychological Autopsy.
3- What is Medical Autopsy. Give its significance?
It is done by
hospital pathologist to determine cause of death, course of disease and
affective ness of drug therapy during life. It is not routinely done in
Pakistan.
Its significance is that it helps in the investigation whether the person died
because of his own disease which remained fail to be diagnosed in his life.
4- What is Mini Autopsy. Give its significance?
It is the
examination of viscera removed from body, both gross and microscopic during
hospital or medico-legal autopsy.Its significance is that it is useful for Chemical
and histopathological studies & helps in reaching the cause of death.
5- What are the objectives of Medico-legal Autopsy?
It is done for the
determination of: -
a- Identity of deceased.
b- To find the cause of death.
c- Manner of death.
d- Circumstances of death.
e- Any association of the crime in the occurrence.
f- Time since death.
g- Viability in birth. (live or still birth)
6- What is significance of 'authorization' in Autopsy?
The medical authorized man
carries out the autopsy procedure under the law of the state. The significance
of authorization is that he is eligible to carry out the Autopsy & cannot be
challenged upon that.
7- What are the Principles of Autopsy?
a- Examination must be careful and thorough.
b- Medical man should be precise and neat.
c- Decorum of Autopsy room reflect a deep respect for the dead human body.
d- Procedure should be carried out with efficiency and dignity.
e- Body, instruments and table should be kept clean and orderly all the
time.
f- Every case should receive the same degree of care and skill.
g- Record should be available to public.
8- What are various Rules of Autopsy?
1- Permission or Authorization:
Written request from the Investigative Officer of Police is required to
start Autopsy. It is a legal compulsion.
2- Careful Study of Poilce Papers:
Doctor should not rely upon the papers but should read them to know the
circumstances of death and to know what is required by Police.For this purpose,
following is read,
a- Inquest report (Death Report) .
b- Statement of injuries by police.
c- Statements of witnesses.
d- Medico-legal certificate (MLC) if examined during life.
e- Treatment / operation notes if treated or operated.
3- Inspection of Scene of Crime:
It is obligatory in Pakistan but sometimes it helps to understand the
circumstances of death and manner of death.
a- Note the position of body and situation of surroundings.
b- Collect the trace for example articles, weapon, blood etc. on or around the
body.
c- Take the photographs.
d- Rely on your own observation.
e- Keep the thresh hold of suspicion low
4- Examination of Clothes:
It is done for,
a- Blood., semen or other stains.
b- Any cut, hole or tears.
c- Cloths should be marked signed and handed over to police.
5- Examination of the dead body:
1- Preferably done in day light ------ in emergency in colorless light e.g
tube light.
2- Note the POSTMORTEM CHANGES.
3- Carefully examine the natural orifices of the body.
4. Verify the injuries noted by the police any missing or misinterpretation
should be noted.
5. Open all the three cavities i.e. cranial, chest and abdominal.
6- Collection of Specimens for further examination:
A. FOR CHEMICAL EXAMINER.
a- If poisoning is suspected.
b- To exclude poisoning if case is uncertain.
Specimen taken are stomach with contents, liver, spleen, kidney, piece of small
intestine, specimen of blood and urine. Preservative is Saturated saline.
B. FOR BACTERIOLOGIST/ PATHOLOGIST.
a- If role of disease is suspected in death.
b- To exclude disease in case of death is uncertain.
Specimen taken are lung, heart and brain. Preservative is Formalin.
7- Examination of Clothes:
a- Articles, jewellery or weapon etc. found with body.
b- Bullets, pellets etc recovered from the wound.
8- Reconstruction of dead body after Autopsy:
a- Stitch the body properly.
b-Wash and clean after examination.
9- Handing over the body and Report:
a- Dead body is handed over to police.
b- Report should be prepared as early as possible and should be handed over to
police and signatures are taken.
9- What are the specimens collected for Chemical Examiner in a suspected case of Poisoning?
Specimen taken are stomach with contents, liver, spleen, kidney, piece of
small intestine, specimen of blood and urine.
10- Name various types of Preservatives?
Formalin for
Histopathology , Saturated saline for Chemical analysis. Thymol (5grains),
rectified spirit for urine.
11- What is the significance of corresponding holes?
The presence of
corresponding hole is important to know that whether the actual
wound and the corresponding hole are at the same place to know whether
these are self inflicted or actual and secondly burning ,blackening and tattooing
may be present around the corresponding hole to
estimate the distance of firearm in case of firearm injury.
12- What are the Initial steps to be performed in Autopsy Room?
Initial Steps in autopsy
room:
a- Identification of the dead body.
b- Photographs of the body in the condition received.
c- Collection of trace evidence.
d- Xray examination of the body.
13- Give requirements of an Ideal Mortuary?
Requirements of an ideal
mortuary are:
White light,
efficient ventilation, proper arrangements for sterilization,
refrigeration, dissection and plenty of running water.
14- Name Principle Autopsy Incisions?
Scalp: Divide
down to bone across vertex from ear to ear at the level just behind the ears.
Chest & Abdomen: Usual straight incision which extend from thyroid
cartilage in the mid line to the pubis avoiding umbilicus.
Neck: V-incision two lines extending from behind the ears (mastoid
process) on both sides in the center of manubrium sterni.
Shoulder Incision: Two curved lines on both sides from shoulder tip
crossing the nipple and meeting the straight incision in mid line and then to
the pubis.
15- What are the factors resulting in Negative Autopsy?
a- Commencement of autopsy without adequate history.
b- Faulty technique and procedure.
c- Inadequate external or internal examination.
d- Insufficient histological or toxicological examination.
e- Lack of pathologist’s training.
16- Discuss Negative Autopsy?
True negative autopsy:
An autopsy is considered to be negative when all the efforts including
gross and microscopic studies and toxicological studies and analysis fail to
reveal the cause of death.
False negative autopsy:
Lack of knowledge for initial or further investigation of the examiner or
unexperinced , natural or acquired limitations.
What to do when
Autopsy is Negative:
Cause of death should be given as UNDETERMINED.
Manner of death should be listed as UNKNOWN.
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by
Nazia Ijaz
Roll no: 73 (3rd year)
Session: 2002-03.
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