AUTOPSY Most important on pilot, co-pilot, and any other crew members actively involved in operation of the aircraft Ideally, all fatally injured aircraft occupants should have autopsies

POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION Radiological Studies Autopsy Toxicological Studies Laboratory Studies Special Ancillary Studies

AUTOPSY Radiological Studies (full body): - Clothed with gear - Hands and feet - Head and neck Note: Re-x-ray as needed

Conduct on dressed remains –Can usually do within body bags Permanent documentation of the skeletal injuries –Extremities usually not dissected X-Rays

X-rays Demonstrate morphology of fractures, which indicates mechanism –Direct blow –Compressive forces –Tension forces –Torsion

injuries with photography with clothing and equipment as recovered from mishap site Repeat photography after clothing and equipment removed Documentation of all injuries, not just fatal Complete documentation of external EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

Positive and pertinent negative findings should be documented Prudent to use redundancy in documenting body and scene –Photographs –Diagrams –Videos

INTERNAL EXAMINATION Chest, abdominal and cranial cavities and organs –Document injuries –Document natural disease

Soft Tissue Dissection.. Dissection of soft tissue associated with superficial wounds to document degree of underlying hemorrhage or reveal occult hemorrhage Posterior neck and lower back –Follow by laminectomy if indicated

Lower Back Dissection

Posterior Neck Dissection