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Autopsy Plan. By: Joyce Lee, Samar Hafeez, Neelam Patel, Vanaja. What is autopsy?. Examining a deceased body to determine the cause of death Autopsies are usually performed when someone suddenly dies and the cause is unknown Description of body is made and features are identified
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Autopsy Plan By: Joyce Lee, Samar Hafeez, Neelam Patel, Vanaja
What is autopsy? • Examining a deceased body to determine the cause of death • Autopsies are usually performed when someone suddenly dies and the cause is unknown • Description of body is made and features are identified • Two types of autopsies: • Forensic • Clinical
External Examination • Body is sent to medical examiners or hospital in a body bag or evidence sheet • Body will be refrigerated if autopsy is not performed immediately • New body bag is used for each person • Evidence sheets are an alternate way to transport body • The sheet covers the body while it is moved Body is being weighed
External Examination • Dieners (morgue attendants ) transport the body • Seals of the body bag are broken • Body is photographed • Clues found directly on the body (ex. Hair strands) are collected and examined • Body is x-rayed for any internal injuries • Body is weighed and measured
External Examination • At this time, all the general information of the deceased is gathered: • Race • Sex • Hair colour • Eye colour • Age • Features
Internal Examination of Body • First, a Y-incision is made across the chest and down to the belly button • Skin and flesh are peeled back with a scalpel • Larynx, esophagus, arteries, ligaments, spinal cord, bladder, rectum are examined • Each organ is weighed and examined • Major blood vessels are also examined
Internal Examination of Brain • Examiner makes a cut from one ear to the other across the top of the head • Scalp is pulled away from the head • The skull is cut with an electric saw Electric Saw
After Autopsy • If the body is needed for a funeral, organs are placed back in and the body is sewn up • The process takes about 4 hours to complete Autopsy is done if the death is unknown (most homicides) • Family must agree to the procedure
Case History • Male • Age: 60 • Caucasian • 5’11 ¾ • 180 pounds • Death: 8/27/2006 6:10am • Smoker • Likes to party • Suddenly fainted at party • Went into cardiac arrest
Things to Focus on in this Autopsy • Death due to cardiac arrest • Possible Contributing Factors to Death: • Smoking • High blood pressure • Other Potential Contributing Factors: • Drugs • Alcohol • Autopsy Plan • Follow steps for external and internal examination • Heart should be examined closely for abnormalities and evidence of heart attack • Coronary arteries should be examined for plaque build-up • Blood and urine should be examined for drugs