1. Autopsies

2. In what cases is an autopsy required?
An Autopsy is required when there is
Injury
Delayed complications of injuries
Poisoning
Infectious complications
Foul play
People who die with no attending physician

3. Who performs the autopsy?
The Medical Examiner!

4. Step 1. External Examination
Body Measured and weighed
Look for Rigor Mortis
Look at clothes paying attentions to any unusual smells of odors
Look for Lividity (blood pooling) to help determine time of death
Check under Finger nails for evidence
Extract vitreous fluid from eye and give to Toxicologist
Step 1. External Examination

5. Step 2: Viewing Internal Organs
Make ‘Y’ incision to expose internal organs
Saw off ribs to expose internal organs
Sternal plate or interior chest wall is cut away to expose the organs underneath

6. Step 3: Internal Examination
Examine internal organs without removing them from the body
Step 3: Internal Examination

7. Step 4:Remove Internal Organs
Remove all organs form the thoracic (chest) cavity and abdominal (belly) cavity
Dissect each organ
Step 4:Remove Internal Organs

8. Step 5: Remove the Brain Using a vibrating saw remove top of cranium
Remove brain
Cut it fresh or fix it in formalin for future

9. Step 6: Weigh each of the organs
Weighed one at a time except intestines and stomach
Drain intestines in a sink to remove any indigested food and feces
Cut open stomach and contents are examined
Step 6: Weigh each of the organs

10. Step 7: Organs are replace in the the body and filled with filler material if needed.

11. Step 8: Stitch the Y incision back up.
Continue onto brain tissue analysis
Step 8: Stitch the Y incision back up.