Laboratory Analysis Autopsy

Histology The pathologist typically requests a histology examination for evidence of cellular pathologies resulting from disease, trauma, or preexisting conditions Small samples of the tissues of interest are taken, embedded in plastic, and sectioned using a microtome (a machine that makes very thin, very precise slices ) to a thickness of only a few microns A medical technologist or histologist will then examine the sections microscopically, write a report, and pass this along to the pathologist

Toxicology Toxicology Screen (tox screen) – broad-based screen test These tests help the forensic toxicologist determine the absence or presence of drugs and their metabolites, chemicals such as ethanol and other volatile substances, carbon monoxide and other gases, metals, and other toxic chemicals in human fluids and tissues The results help the toxicologist and pathologist evaluate the role of any drugs or chemicals as determinant or contributory factor in the cause and manner of death

Autopsy Report The autopsy report is a crucial piece of information in a death investigation No standard method for reporting autopsy results exists, although guidelines and headings have been suggested by the College of American Pathologists Because the results of an autopsy, whether hospital or medicolegal, may end up in court, it is imperative that certain basic and specific information be included in every autopsy file such as –Police report –Medical investigator report –Witness report –Medical history of the decedent

Exhumations Humans have always had particular practices for dealing with the dead Rituals, ceremonies, and wakes are all a part of how society acknowledges a person’s passing life One of the most common funeral practices in the US is the embalming and burial of the dead If questions about cause or manner of death arise once the deceased is buried, the decedent must be dug up or removed from his or her mausoleum; this process is called exhumation

Exhumations The changes wrought by death, time, and embalming practices can obliterate or obscure details that otherwise might be easily examined Embalming is a process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to retard organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable physical appearance Formaldehyde or formalin are the main chemicals used to preserve the body These chemicals are highly reactive and can alter or mask drugs or poisons in the body at the time of death

Exhumations Toxicologists Tim Tracy of the University of Minnesota and Pete Gannett at West Virginia University have developed special methods to analyze embalmed tissues for drugs, poisons, and medications –These methods have been successfully applied in casework More methods for other drugs of abuse in embalmed tissues are being researched

Consultations The forensic pathologist, when presented with challenging cases of burned, decomposed, or dismembered bodies, may consult with any of a variety of forensic specialists Forensic anthropologists, entomologists, and odontologists all may play a role in death investigation Some ME offices or forensic laboratories have one or more of these specialists on staff due to regular caseload demands This is especially true of offices that cover a large geographical area or large metropolitan areas