Autopsy Procedures

What is an autopsy?

• A surgical procedure to remove a tumor

• A psychological evaluation of a living person

• A medical examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.

• A genetic test to determine ancestry

What are the main objectives of an autopsy?

• To perform a post-mortem examination, determine the time of death, and establish the deceased's identity.

• To provide closure for the deceased's family, determine if foul play was involved, and assess the deceased's overall health.

• To determine the deceased's mental state, establish the deceased's cause of death, and assess the deceased's lifestyle choices.

• To determine cause of death, identify diseases or injuries, collect evidence, and contribute to research.

What are the TWO different types of autopsies?

• surgical autopsy

• forensic autopsy

• medical /clinical autopsy

• military autopsy

What are the THREE main purposes of an autopsy?

• To determine the manner, cause, and mechanism of death.

• To collect DNA samples.

• To identify the deceased

• Establish the approximate time/date of death

What is the purpose of an internal examination during an autopsy?

• To assess the external injuries on the body.

• To collect DNA samples for further analysis.

• To determine the deceased person's age and gender.

• To examine the organs and tissues inside the body to determine the cause of death and any underlying diseases or injuries.

What are the tools and instruments used during an autopsy?

• Stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and reflex hammer.

• Microscope, test tubes, and petri dishes.

• Scalpel, forceps, bone saw, rib cutter, autopsy saw

• Surgical gloves, face mask, and gown.

Georgia Law requires autopsies for which THREE reasons when deaths occur?

• As a result of violence

• by suicide or casualty (accident)

• natural causes (old age)

• suddenly when person was in apparent good health

Three circumstances that affect the rate of rigor mortis?

• Starvation- thinner bodies stiffen faster

• Extreme Temperatures

• Physical Exercise

• Method of Death

A Coroner is the same as an Medical Examiner

• True

• False

A Medical Examiner is the same as a Pathologist

• True

• False