1. The Autopsy

2.  An autopsy is performed to determine the cause of death  An autopsy is performed when a death results from:  Injury  Delayed complications of injuries  Poisoning  Infectious complications  Foul play  People who die with no attending physician

3.  The forensic autopsy, or medical-legal autopsy, tries to find answers to the cause of death as part of an overall police investigation.  The forensic autopsy spends almost as much time on the external surfaces of the body as it does on the internal surfaces, because that’s where evidence is most likely to be found.

4.  The clinical autopsy is usually performed in hospitals by pathologists or the attending physician to determine a cause of death for research and study purposes.

5.  A medical examiner is a physician who is usually trained in forensic pathology and is appointed to the position  A coroner is elected to the position and, although most have training in forensic pathology, usually does not require any medical qualifications

6.  The body is placed in a body bag or covered with a sterile evidence sheet  The body is photographed and the positioning of all clothing is noted in the autopsy record  Evidence is collected from the external surface of the body (i.e. fibers, hair, GSR, etc.)

7.  The body is x-rayed, undressed, and cleaned  The body is then moved to the autopsy table, a slanted metal table with raised edges and drains to allow for the removal of blood and fluids  A body block is placed under the body to allow easier access to the chest

8.  A general description of the body is made into the autopsy record and includes:  Race  Sex  Hair color and length  Eye color  Approximate age  Any identifying features (birthmarks, tattoos, etc.)

9.  The Y-cut is used to open the body; the cuts start at the front of each shoulder and meet at the end of the sternum; the cut continues down the midline to the pubic bone  Cuts are made on each side of the ribcage to remove it and expose the internal organs  The internal organs are removed in one large section or individually

10.  Each organ is examined and weighed; a section is taken for microscopic examination  The stomach contents are removed, examined and weighed  The body block is repositioned to the back of the neck  The scalp is cut from one mastoid process to the other and the scalp is pulled away from the skull  The skull is opened using an electric saw

11.  The brain is severed from the spinal cord  The brain is examined  Throughout the autopsy, the medical examiner continues to look for evidence or signs of trauma  The autopsy is now complete  The organs are returned to the body and the incisions are sewn together  The entire procedure takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours