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Autopsy

Autopsy. BMT. Autopsy. Post-mortem (after death) examination of a body to determine cause of death (C.O.D) Performed by: Coroner Medical examiner pathologist. Why perform an autopsy?. Determine cause of death Usually mandated in cases when someone has passed prematurely

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Autopsy

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  1. Autopsy BMT

  2. Autopsy • Post-mortem (after death) examination of a body to determine cause of death (C.O.D) • Performed by: • Coroner • Medical examiner • pathologist

  3. Why perform an autopsy? • Determine cause of death • Usually mandated in cases when someone has passed prematurely • Usually mandated in cases when someone dies suddenly • Usually mandated in cases when someone dies as result of injury. Permission is required by deceased next of kin

  4. Other Reasons for an Autopsy Determine which disease or injury caused death Diagnosis - confirmation and understanding Evaluate possible public health issue

  5. Autopsy Procedure • Begins with a review of past medical history and charts. • Why? • External Exam • Internal Exam

  6. External Exam Body tag (identification of correct individual) Height and weight Clothing and valuables are identified Scars, tattoos, bruises, injuries, wounds are recorded Check for presence of any foreign objects Photos and X-rays

  7. Internal Exam Complete dissection of head and abdomen Organs removed, weighed, measured, and examined Tissue samples are examined under a microscope Fluid samples tested for presence of drugs and infection

  8. Post Autopsy • Legal death certificate is issued • Explanation or determination of the cause of death. • Heart Attack • Stroke • GSW (Gun shot wound) • Cancer • Congestive Heart Failure

  9. Death Certificate Natural Death- Old age, disease process Unnatural Death- premature, unexpected death

  10. Determining Time of Death Rigor mortis Lividity Body Temperature None of the above can be completely reliable because they can all be manipulated

  11. Rigor Mortis Begins to set in within three hours of death Noticeable in face and eyelid muscles. Full rigor after approximately 12 hours after death Reverses after 36 hours

  12. Lividity Sets in 30-60 minutes after death Red cells settle and skin below turns red In 6-10 hours color becomes permanent

  13. Body Temperature Falls at a rate of 1 degree per hour What might affect the rate at which body temperature drops after death?

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