Autopsy: Analyzing The Human Body WARNING (The squeamish are advised to look away!!!)

I WARNED YOU

Autopsy Q & A Q. What is an autopsy? A.Also known as a post-mortem examination, an autopsy is the examination of a dead body. Q. Why is an autopsy performed? A.It is performed primarily to determine the cause of death.

Goals Determine the identity of the decedent Determine the cause of death Determine the manner of death Determine the mode of death Determine the time of death

The four Manners of Death Natural—caused by disease; ex. heart attack Accidental—unplanned series of events; a fall or car accident Suicidal—self-inflicted; ex. gunshot or overdose Homicidal—murder Undetermined or unclassified*

Who gets autopsied? The ME investigates any death that is –T–Traumatic –U–Unusual –S–Sudden –U–Unexpected

How is an autopsy performed? I.The pathologist begins the autopsy with a complete external examination (visual inspection). A. The body weight and height are recorded, and identifying marks are noted. such as scars and tattoos

B. The body is photographed. C. The victim’s clothing is examined. D. Time of death is estimated. E. X-rays may be taken. F. Trace evidence is collected. G. Injuries are examined, photographed, measured, and diagrammed.

A Good Time to Look Away

Take A Deep Breath and Dive In: II. The internal examination begins with the creation of a Y or U- shaped incision from both shoulders, joining over the sternum and continuing down to the pubic bone.

The skin and underlying tissues are then separated to expose the rib cage and abdominal cavity.

The heart and lungs are removed. Blood and DNA analysis may be performed. The abdominal organs are removed, weighed, and tissue samples are taken. Samples are collected for toxicological testing and determination of last meal. The head and brain are examined. The brain is removed and tissue samples are taken.

Histology Pieces of all of the major organs mentioned above are converted into thin sections of tissue that can be placed on slides and studied under a microscope.

At the End The organs may be returned to the body or may be retained for teaching, research, and diagnostic purposes. At the end of an autopsy, the incisions made in the body are sewn closed.

Fingerprinting Bodies Seeing as the chemical composition of finger prints and skin are so similar, it is an immensely difficult job. According to investigators, it is like “lifting a ripple from a puddle”.

Well, how do you do it? It can be removed with the iodine method or a direct transfer method –More recent methods are photographic-type papers pressed agents the skin to make reverse images. But remember, skin under any circumstance, is not the best surface. –It stretches-- meaning that the prints can be distorted. –If the victim is living, the outer layer may shed, destroying the print.