An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy, or obduction, is a medical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp is a 1632 Oil painting by Rembrandt housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (July 15 1606 &ndash October 4 1669 was a Dutch painter and etcher. A medical procedure is a course of action intended to achieve a result in the care of patients used by medical or paramedical personnel To examine somebody or something is to inspect it closely hence an examination is a detailed inspection or analysis of an object or person A cadaver or corpse is a dead Body. "Cadaver" is normally used as a more formal term for a body being used in medical training or research Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions and can be deadly Injury or bodily injury is Damage or Harm caused to the Structure or function of the Body caused by an outside agent or It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and
Autopsies are either performed for legal or medical purposes. A forensic autopsy is carried out when the cause of death may be a criminal matter, while a clinical or academic autopsy is performed to find the medical cause of death and is used in cases of unknown or uncertain death, or for research purposes. Autopsies can be further classified into cases where external examination suffices, and those where the body is dissected and an internal examination is conducted. Permission from next of kin may be required for internal autopsy in some cases. Next of kin is the term used to describe a person's closest living blood relative or Relatives. Once an internal autopsy is complete the body is reconstituted by sewing it back together.
The prefix 'auto-' means 'self', and so autopsy means 'to see for oneself'; it is used more broadly of personal examination of an object, as well as its specific usage for the post-mortem examination of a human corpse.
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History
The Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to practice the removal and examination of the internal organs of humans. This article is about the contemporary North African ethnic group [1]
Value of autopsy in medicine
Autopsies are important in clinical medicine as they can identify medical error and assist continuous improvement. Medical Error is an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis and/or Treatment of a Disease; Injury; Syndrome; Kaizen ( 改善, Japanese for "continuous improvement" is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement throughout all aspects
A study that focused on myocardial infarction (heart attack) as a cause of death found significant errors of omission and commission,[1] i. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply e. a sizable number cases ascribed to myocardial infarctions (MIs) were not MIs and a significant number of non-MIs were actually MIs.
A systematic review of studies of the autopsy calculated that in about 25% of autopsies a major diagnostic error will be revealed. A systematic review is a Literature review focused on a single question which tries to identify appraise select and synthesize all high quality research evidence relevant to [2] However, this rate has decreased over time and the study projects that in a contemporary US institution, 8. 4% to 24. 4% of autopsies will detect major diagnostic errors.
A large meta-analysis suggested that approximately one third of death certificates are incorrect and that half of the autopsies performed produced findings that were not suspected before the person died. In Statistics, a meta-analysis combines the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses A death certificate, sometimes medical certificate of the cause of death (MCCD is a document issued by a government official such as a registrar of Vital statistics [3] Also, it is thought that over one fifth of unexpected findings can only be diagnosed histologically, i. Histology (from the Greek = 'tissue' is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of Plants and e. by biopsy or autopsy, and that approximately one quarter of unexpected findings, or 5% of all findings, are major and can similarly only be diagnosed from tissue. A biopsy (in Greek: βίος life and όψη look/appearance is a Medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues
Value of autopsy in intensive care unit
One study found 32% major diagnostic errors (Class I and Class II) with the leading missed diagnoses being "Autopsies revealed 171 missed diagnoses, including 21 cancers, 12 strokes, 11 myocardial infarctions, 10 pulmonary emboli, and 9 endocarditis, among others". [4]
Focusing intubated patients, one study found "abdominal pathologic conditions--abscesses, bowel perforations, or infarction--were as frequent as pulmonary emboli as a cause of class I errors. While patients with abdominal pathologic conditions generally complained of abdominal pain, results of examination of the abdomen were considered unremarkable in most patients, and the symptom was not pursued". [5]
General information
The term "autopsy" derives from the Greek for "to see oneself". Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly "Necropsy" is from the Greek for "seeing a dead body".
There are three main types of autopsies:
- Forensic: This is done for medical-legal purposes, and is the one that is normally seen on television or in the news. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic News is any new information or information on Current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or Word of mouth This type depict an extensive methodology and tends to be complete and comprehensive. No family permission is required to complete this type of autopsy. Family denotes a group of People affiliated by consanguinity affinity or co-residence
- Clinical/academic: This is usually performed in hospitals for research and study purposes. A hospital is an institution for Health care providing treatment by specialised staff and equipment and often but not always providing for Research is defined as Human activity based on Intellectual application in the investigation of Matter. Prior to the start, of a clinical autopsy, a cause of death must have already been established, and a death certificate completed. This usually is as comprehensive as it needs to be adequate. To complete this type of autopsy, permission from the deceased's legal next of kin is required.
- Coroner's: In Great Britain this type of autopsy encompasses cases where no medical cause of death is readily available. Cause, manner and mechanism of death are in question. Eventually, the prosectors will identify whether the cases deserve comprehensive forensic autopsy or a routine postmortem. In the United States, each state has a set of guidelines defining a "coroner's case" for autopsy, for example: hospital deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission or within 24 hours of a major surgical procedure, with any history (current or remote) of illegal drug or alcohol abuse by the deceased, patients with certain communicable diseases (HIV, hepatitis C virus, etc. ), patients with any previous history of violent injury (e. g. , gunshot wound many years before death). These cases may or may not be also considered "forensic" in nature. They may be done by the hospital pathologist with the legal permission of the coroner or medical examiner for that county/parish and do not require permission from the deceased's legal next of kin.
While dissection of human remains for medical reasons has been practiced irregularly for nearly a millennium since Avenzoar and Ibn al-Nafis, the modern autopsy process derives from the anatomists of the Renaissance. Dissection (also called anatomization) is usually the process of disassembling and observing something to determine its internal structure and as an aid to discerning the function Abū Merwān ’Abdal-Malik ibn Zuhr ( أبو مروان عبد الملك بن زهر) (also known as Ibn Zuhr, Avenzoar, Abumeron or Ibn-Zohr TemplateInfobox Muslim scholars --> Ala al-Din Abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Abi-Hazm al-Qarshi al-Dimashqi ( Anatomy (from the Greek anatomia, from ana separate apart from and temnein, to cut up cut open is a branch of Biology that is the consideration The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere The two great nineteenth-century medical researchers Rudolf Virchow and Carl von Rokitansky built on the Renaissance legacy to derive the two distinct autopsy techniques that still bear their names. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow ( 13 October 1821 &ndash 5 September 1902) was a German doctor, anthropologist, public health Baron Carl von Rokitansky ( German: Carl Freiherr von Rokitansky, Czech: Karel Rokytanský) ( February 19, 1804 &ndash Their demonstration of correspondences between pathological conditions in dead bodies and symptoms and illnesses in the living opened the way for a different way of thinking about disease and its treatment. A symptom' (from Greek σύμπτωμα, "accident misfortune that which befalls" from συμπίπτω, "I befall" from A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions and can be deadly In China, the office of coroner and forensic autopsy have a history nearly two thousand years old. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National A coroner is an official responsible for investigating deaths particularly some of those happening under unusual circumstances and determining the cause of death
Forensic autopsy
A forensic autopsy is used to determine the cause of death. Forensic science involves the application of the sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal system. In United States law, deaths are placed in one of five manners:
In some jurisdictions, the Undetermined category may include deaths in absentia, such as deaths at sea and missing persons declared dead in a court of law; in others, such deaths are classified under "Other". The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In Medicine, death by natural causes is a loosely-defined term used by Coroners describing Death when the cause of death was a naturally occurring disease An accident is a specific identifiable unexpected unusual and unintended external event which occurs in a particular time and place without apparent or deliberate List of countries by homicide rate Homicide ( Latin homicidium, homo human being + caedere to cut kill refers to the act of killing another In Law, death in absentia is the status of a person who has been declared legally dead.
Following an in-depth examination of all the evidence, a medical examiner or coroner will assign a manner of death as one of the five listed above; and detail the evidence on the mechanism of the death. Evidence in its broadest sense includes anything that is used to determine or demonstrate the Truth of an assertion A coroner is an official responsible for investigating deaths particularly some of those happening under unusual circumstances and determining the cause of death
Clinical autopsy
Clinical autopsies serve two major purposes. They are performed to gain more insight into pathological processes and determine what factors contributed to a patient's death. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and More importantly, autopsies are performed to ensure the standard of care at hospitals. Autopsies can yield insight into how patient deaths can be prevented in the future.
Within the United Kingdom, clinical autopsies can only be carried out with the consent of the family of the deceased person as opposed to a medico-legal autopsy instructed by a Coroner (England & Wales) or Procurator Fiscal (Scotland) to which the family cannot object.
The process
The body is received at a medical examiner's office or hospital in a body bag or evidence sheet. A body bag is a non-porous bag designed to contain a Human body, used for the storage and transport of corpses Body bags can also be used for the storage of corpses A brand new body bag is used for each body to ensure that only evidence from that body is contained within the bag. Evidence in its broadest sense includes anything that is used to determine or demonstrate the Truth of an assertion Evidence sheets are an alternate way to transport the body. An evidence sheet is a sterile sheet that the body is covered in when it is moved. Sterilization (or sterilisation, see spelling differences) refers to any process that effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents (such as Fungi If it is believed there may be any significant residue on the hands, for instance gunpowder, a separate paper sack is put around each hand and taped shut around the wrist. Gunpowder is a an explosive mixture of Sulfur, Charcoal and Potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre/saltpeter that burns rapidly producing volumes
There are two parts to the physical examination of the body: the external and internal examination. Toxicology, biochemical tests and/or genetic testing often supplement these and frequently assist the pathologist in assigning the cause or causes of death. Toxicology (from the Greek words toxicos and logos) is the study of the adverse effects of Chemicals on living organisms A medical test is a kind of Medical procedure performed to detect, diagnose, or evaluate Disease, disease processes susceptibility and determine Genetic testing allows the genetic Diagnosis of vulnerabilities to inherited Diseases, and can also be used to determine a person's Ancestry. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and
External examination
The person responsible for handling, cleaning and moving the body is often called a diener, the German word for servant. The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. In the UK this role is performed by an Anatomical Pathology Technologist who will also assist the pathologist in eviscerating the deceased and reconstruction after the autopsy. After the body is received, it is first photographed. Photography (fә'tɒgrәfi or fә'tɑːgrәfi (from Greek φωτο and γραφία is the process and Art of recording pictures by means of capturing The examiner then notes the kind of clothes and their position on the body before they are removed. Next, any evidence such as residue, flakes of paint or other material is collected from the external surfaces of the body. Ultraviolet light may also be used to search body surfaces for any evidence not easily visible to the naked eye. Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays Samples of hair, nails and the like are taken, and the body may also be radiographically imaged. Hair is a keratinised protein filament that grows through the epidermis from follicles deep within the Dermis. A nail is a horn -like structure at the end of an animal's Finger or Toe. X-radiation (composed of X-rays) is a form of Electromagnetic radiation.
Once the external evidence is collected, the body is removed from the bag, undressed and any wounds present are examined. In Medicine, a wound is a type of Injury in which the Skin is torn cut or punctured (an open wound or where blunt force trauma The body is then cleaned, weighed and measured in preparation for the internal examination. The scale used to weigh the body is often designed to accommodate the cart that the body is transported on; its weight is then deducted from the total weight shown to give the weight of the body. A weighing scale (usually just "scale" in common usage except in Australian English where "scales" is more common is a Measuring instrument for "CARTS" redirects here For the transportation system see Capital Area Rural Transportation System, or Chautauqua CARTS.
If not already within an autopsy room, the body is transported to one and placed on a table. A general description of the body as regards ethnicity, sex, age, hair color and length, eye color and other distinguishing features (birthmarks, old scar tissue, moles, etc) is then made. An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual Hair color is the pigmentation of hair follicles due to the two types of melanin Eumelanin and Phaeomelanin. Eye color is a Polygenic trait and is determined by the amount and type of Pigments in the Eye 's iris. A birthmark is a Blemish on the Skin formed before Birth. A little over 1 in 10 babies have a Vascular birthmark Scars (also called cicatrices) are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal Skin (or other tissue after injury Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism A mole, technically known as a melanocytic Nevus, is a small dark spot on human Skin. A handheld voice recorder or a standard examination form is normally used to record this information. A dictation machine is a Sound recording device most commonly used to record speech for later playback or to be typed into print In some countries e. g. France, Germany and Canada to name but a few, an autopsy may comprise an external examination only. This concept is sometimes termed a "view and grant". The principles behind this being that the medical records, history of the deceased and circumstances of death have all indicated as to the cause and manner of death without the need for an internal examination.
Internal examination
If not already in place, a plastic or rubber brick called a "body block" is placed under the back of the body, causing the arms and neck to fall backward whilst stretching and pushing the chest upward to make it easier to cut open. The chest is a part of the Anatomy of humans and various other animals sometimes referred to as the Thorax. This gives the prosector, a pathologist or assistant, maximum exposure to the trunk. A prosector is a person with the special task of preparing a Dissection for demonstration usually in Medical schools or Hospitals Many important Anatomists Torso is an anatomical term for the central part of the many animal bodies (including that of the human from which extend the neck and limbs After this is done, the internal examination begins. The internal examination consists of inspecting the internal organs of the body for evidence of trauma or other indications of the cause of death. In Biology, an organ ( Latin: organum, "instrument tool" from Greek όργανον - organon "organ instrument Treatment of physical trauma is described here and in First aid. For the internal examination there are a number of different approaches available:
- a large and deep Y-shaped incision can be made from behind each ear and running down the sides of the neck, meeting at the breastbone. Cutting is the separation of a physical object or a portion of a physical object into two portions through the application of an acutely directed force The sternum (from Greek στέρνον sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long flat Bone located in the center of the thorax (chest This is the approach most often used in forensic autopsies so as to allow maximum exposure of the neck structures for later detailed examination. This could prove essential in cases of suspected strangulation
- a T-shaped incision made from the tips of both shoulder, in a horizontal line across the region of the collar bones to meet at the sternum (breastbone) in the middle. This initial cut is used more often to produce a more aesthetic finish to the body when it is re-constituted as stitching marks will not be as apparent as with a Y-shaped incision
- a single vertical cut is made from the middle of the neck (in the region of the 'adam's apple' on a male body)
In all of the above cases the cut then extends all the way down to the pubic bone (making a deviation to the left side of the navel). For the bone in many mammals often called the penis bone see Baculum The android pubic bone is the Ventral and Anterior
Bleeding from the cuts is minimal, or non-existent, due to the fact that the pull of gravity is producing the only blood pressure at this point, related directly to the complete lack of cardiac functionality. Bleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging / haemorrhaging (see American and British spelling differences) is the loss of Blood from Gravitation is a natural Phenomenon by which objects with Mass attract one another Blood pressure is also the title of a short story by Damon Runyan in Guys and Dolls and Other Stories However, in certain cases there is anecdotal evidence to prove that bleeding can be quite profuse, especially in cases of drowning.
An electric saw dubbed a "Stryker saw" after a common manufacturer of the tool, is most often used to open the chest cavity. A saw is a Tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials Stryker Corporation is a medical technology company with a broad range of products in orthopaedics and a significant presence in other medical specialties The thoracic cavity (or chest cavity) is the chamber of the human body (and other animal bodies that is protected by the Thoracic wall ( Thoracic cage However, in some cases, due to the large amount of dust created when the bone is cut by the saw, shears are used to open the chest cavity. It is also possible to utilise a simple scalpel blade. The prosector uses the tool to saw through the ribs on the lateral sides of the chest cavity to allow the sternum and attached ribs to be lifted as one chest plate; this is done so that the heart and lungs can be seen in situ and that the heart, in particular the pericardial sac is not damaged or disturbed from opening. A broader definition of a tool is an entity used to interface between two or more domains that facilitates more effective action of one domain upon the other The sternum (from Greek στέρνον sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long flat Bone located in the center of the thorax (chest In situ (ɪn siːˈtuː is a Latin phrase meaning in the place. The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the Heart and the roots of the Great vessels. A scalpel is used to remove any soft tissue that is still attached to the posterior side of the chest plate. A scalpel is a small but extremely sharp knife used for Surgery, anatomical Dissection, and various Arts and crafts. Now the lungs and the heart are exposed. lung is the essential Respiration organ in air-breathing Animals including most Tetrapods a few Fish and a few Snails The most primitive The chest plate is set aside and will be eventually replaced at the end of the autopsy.
At this stage the organs are exposed. In Biology, an organ ( Latin: organum, "instrument tool" from Greek όργανον - organon "organ instrument Usually, the organs are removed in a systematic fashion. Making a decision as to what order the organs are to be removed will depend highly on the case in question. Organs can be removed in several ways: The first is the en masse technique of letulle whereby all the organs are removed as one large mass. The second is the en bloc method of Ghon. The most popular in the UK is a modified version of this method which is divided into four groups of organs. Although these are the two predominant evisceration techniques in the UK variations on these are widespread.
One method is described here: The pericardial sac is opened to view the heart. Blood for chemical analysis may be removed from the inferior vena cava or the pulmonary veins. Before removing the heart, the pulmonary artery is opened in order to search for a blood clot. The heart can then be removed by cutting the inferior vena cava, the pulmonary veins, the aorta and pulmonary artery, and the superior vena cava. This method leaves the aortic arch intact, which will make things easier for the embalmer. The left lung is then easily accessible and can be removed by cutting the bronchus, artery, and vein at the hilum. The right lung can then be similarly removed. The abdominal organs can be removed one by one after first examining their relationships and vessels.
Some pathologists, however, prefer to remove the organs all in one "block". Then a series of cuts, along the vertebral column, are made so that the organs can be detached and pulled out in one piece for further inspection and sampling. During autopsies of infants, this method is used almost all of the time. The various organs are examined, weighed and tissue samples in the form of slices are taken. Even major blood vessels are cut open and inspected at this stage. The blood vessels are part of the Circulatory system and function to transport Blood throughout the body Next the stomach and intestinal contents are examined and weighed. In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following This could be useful to find the cause and time of death, due to the natural passage of food through the bowel during digestion. The more area empty, the longer the deceased had gone without a meal before death.
The body block that was used earlier to elevate the chest cavity is now used to elevate the head. To examine the brain, a cut is made from behind one ear, over the crown of the head, to a point behind the other ear. The brain is the center of the Nervous system in animals All Vertebrates and the majority of Invertebrates have a brain When the autopsy is completed, the incision can be neatly sewn up and is not noticed when the head is resting on a pillow in an open casket funeral. Cutting is the separation of a physical object or a portion of a physical object into two portions through the application of an acutely directed force A funeral is a Ceremony marking a person's Death. Funerary customs comprise the complex of Beliefs and practices used by a Culture to remember The scalp is pulled away from the skull in two flaps with the front flap going over the face and the rear flap over the back of the neck. The scalp is the anatomical area bordered by the Face anteriorly and the Neck to the sides and posteriorly The skull is then cut with an electric saw to create a "cap" that can be pulled off, exposing the brain. The brain is then observed in situ. Then the brain's connection to the spinal cord is severed, and the brain is then lifted out of the skull for further examination. The spinal cord is a long thin tubular bundle of Nerves that is an extension of the Central nervous system from the brain and is enclosed in and protected If the brain needs to be preserved before being inspected, it is contained in a large container of formalin (15 percent solution of formaldehyde gas in buffered water) for at least two but preferably four weeks. Formaldehyde is a Chemical compound with the formula H2CO It is the simplest Aldehyde —an organic compound containing a terminal Carbonyl Formaldehyde is a Chemical compound with the formula H2CO It is the simplest Aldehyde —an organic compound containing a terminal Carbonyl Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. This not only preserves the brain, but also makes it firmer allowing easier handling without corrupting the tissue.
Reconstitution of the body
An important component of the autopsy is the reconstitution of the body such that it can be viewed, if desired, by relatives of the deceased following the procedure. After the examination, the body has an open and empty chest cavity with chest flaps open on both sides, the top of the skull is missing, and the skull flaps are pulled over the face and neck. The thoracic cavity (or chest cavity) is the chamber of the human body (and other animal bodies that is protected by the Thoracic wall ( Thoracic cage It is unusual to examine the face, arms, hands or legs internally. In the UK, following the Human Tissue Act 2004 all organs and tissue must be returned to the body unless permission is given by the family to retain any tissue for further investigation. Normally the internal body cavity is lined with cotton wool or an appropriate material, the organs are then placed into a plastic bag to prevent leakage and returned to the body cavity. The chest flaps are then closed and sewn back together and the skull cap is sewed back in place. Then the body may be wrapped in a shroud and it is common for relatives of the deceased to not be able to tell the procedure has been done when the deceased is viewed in a funeral parlor after embalming. Shroud usually refers to an item such as a cloth that covers or protects some other object A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and Funeral services for the deceased and their families Embalming, in most modern Cultures is the Art and Science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall Decomposition
Other information
The principal aim of an autopsy is to determine the cause of death, the state of health of the person before he or she died, and whether any medical diagnosis and treatment before death was appropriate. This list shows causes of Human Deaths worldwide for a single year 2002 arranged by the associated Mortality rate. Diagnosis is the identification by Process of elimination, of the nature of anything
In most Western countries the number of autopsies performed in hospitals has been decreasing every year since 1955. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings Critics, including pathologist and former JAMA editor George Lundberg, have charged that the reduction in autopsies is negatively affecting the care delivered in hospitals, because when mistakes result in death, they are often not investigated and lessons learned. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and JAMA The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general Medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Editing Language, Images or Sound through correction condensation organization and other modifications in various media George D Lundberg is a Physician, board-certified Pathologist, and since February 1999 editor of Medscape.
When a person has given permission in advance of their death, autopsies may also be carried out for the purposes of teaching or medical research.
An autopsy is frequently performed in cases of sudden death, where a doctor is not able to write a death certificate, or when death is believed to be due to an unnatural cause. These examinations are performed under a legal authority (Medical Examiner or Coroner or Procurator Fiscal) and do not require the consent of relatives of the deceased. A coroner is an official responsible for investigating deaths particularly some of those happening under unusual circumstances and determining the cause of death The most extreme example is the examination of murder victims, especially when medical examiners are looking for signs of death or the murder method, such as bullet wounds and exit points, signs of strangulation, or traces of poison. Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries A bullet is a solid Projectile propelled by a Firearm or Air gun and is normally made from metal (usually Lead) In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by
See also
References
- ^ Ravakhah K (2006). Disposal of human corpses is the practice and process of dealing with the remains of a deceased Human being. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and The John Tonge Centre (commonly referred to as the JTC is the Mortuary for Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (FSS - formerly Queensland Health Scientific Services Dr Gunther von Hagens (b Gunther Liebchen, January 10, 1945) is a controversial anatomist who invented the technique for preserving biological "Death certificates are not reliable: revivification of the autopsy". South. Med. J. 99 (7): 728-33. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 16866055.
- ^ Shojania KG, Burton EC, McDonald KM, Goldman L (2003). "Changes in rates of autopsy-detected diagnostic errors over time: a systematic review". JAMA 289 (21): 2849-56. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 12783916.
- ^ Roulson J, Benbow EW, Hasleton PS (2005). "Discrepancies between clinical and autopsy diagnosis and the value of post mortem histology; a meta-analysis and review". Histopathology 47 (6): 551-9. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 16324191.
- ^ Combes A, Mokhtari M, Couvelard A, et al (2004). "Clinical and autopsy diagnoses in the intensive care unit: a prospective study". Arch. Intern. Med. 164 (4): 389-92. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 14980989.
- ^ Papadakis MA, Mangione CM, Lee KK, Kristof M (1991). "Treatable abdominal pathologic conditions and unsuspected malignant neoplasms at autopsy in veterans who received mechanical ventilation". JAMA 265 (7): 885-7. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 1992186.
External links
- Autopsy - Autopsy - Who gets autopsied?, Autopsy permission, Autopsy technique
- Autopsy - a detailed description by a pathologist complete with cartoon figures. Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and
- The Virtual Autopsy - a site from the University of Leicester where one examines the patient, looks at the (medical) history and gets a try at the diagnosis. The University of Leicester is a research led university based in Leicester, England, with approximately 19000 registered students - about 12000 of them full-time
- HBO's Autopsy - a series on HBO about forensics and autopsies.
- BBC News - Controversial Autopsy goes ahead - news story about Prof. Gunther von Hagens performing the first public autopsy in the UK in 170 years. Dr Gunther von Hagens (b Gunther Liebchen, January 10, 1945) is a controversial anatomist who invented the technique for preserving biological
- How Stuff Works - Autopsies
- Autopsies - Forensic
- President Abraham Lincoln's Autopsy.
- www.autopsyvideo.com- This site offers autopsy documentaries, one produced with the aid of The LA County Coroner's Office.
- Autopsy of a Murder - An interactive exploration of a murder scene and the science involved in a criminalistic investigation: autopsy and laboratory expertise. Produced by the Montreal Science Centre for its namesake exhibition.
- Prevention of Infection during autopsy It lists the risk factors and prevention strategies during post mortem examination.
- [2] - The official organisation for Anatomical Pathology Technologists in the UK
Dictionary
autopsy
-noun
- A dissection performed on a cadaver to find possible cause(s) of death.
- An after-the-fact examination, especially of the causes of a failure.
-verb
- (transitive) To perform an autopsy on.
- (transitive) To perform an after-the-fact analysis of, especially of a failure.
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