Autopsy Procedures: Understanding Post-Mortem Examination

Introduction

An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a systematic investigation of a deceased body to determine the cause and manner of death.

Types of Autopsies

• Clinical Autopsy: Conducted for medical research and understanding diseases.
• Forensic Autopsy: Performed in cases of unnatural deaths for legal investigation.
• Academic Autopsy: Used for educational and research purposes.

Steps in Post-Mortem Examination

1. External Examination – Identification, external injuries, physical characteristics.
2. Internal Examination – Dissection of organs to assess pathological findings.
3. Toxicological Analysis – Detection of substances such as drugs or poisons.
4. Histological Examination – Microscopic analysis of tissues for disease identification.

Key Findings and Their Importance

Findings may reveal causes of death such as trauma, poisoning, or disease progression, aiding legal and medical conclusions.