(ARME) Autopsy and the Role of the Medical Examiner Module Overview

 Autopsy and the Role of the Medical Examiner Module Overview

An autopsy is a postmortem assessment or examination of a body to determine the cause of death. An autopsy is performed by a physician known as a medical examiner or pathologist who is trained in pathology. Autopsies are ordered when a person's death is unexplained, unexpected or suspicious. A medical examiner is trained to identify abnormalities in the body after death and can often determine important details about the cause or manner of death. Only about 10% of deaths are referred for autopsy and it is estimated that as many as 1/3 of all causes of death listed on death certificates are incorrect. Though they may not provide every detail needed in a death investigation, autopsies generally yield clues and leads in a case which make them an important component of Forensic investigations.

Essential Questions

  1. What is autopsy and why is it used in death investigations?
  2. What are the five manners of death?
  3. What is the medical examiner's role in death determinations?
  4. How can causes of death be identified?
  5. What is required in an autopsy report?

Key Terms

  1. Autopsy - An autopsy is a postmortem assessment or examination of a body to determine the cause of death. An autopsy is performed by a physician trained in pathology.
  2. Medicolegal Death - Any death that requires an official medical examiner or coroner investigation. Examples include unexpected or violent death, death of an infant or child, unidentified or prominent person, anyone not under a doctor's care death occurring ≤ 24 hours after hospital admission, death involving negligence or malfunctioning equipment, death of anyone in police custody.
  3. Homicide - The death of one human being caused by another.
  4. Suicide - The intentional taking of one's own life.
  5. Manslaughter - The unlawful, unjustifiable, and/or inexcusable killing of one human by another, under circumstances lacking premeditation, deliberation, and express or implied malice.
  6. 1st Degree Murder - Homicide perpetrated by means of poison, lying in wait, or other kind of willful, deliberate, and premeditated act, or that which is committed while perpetrating a forcible felony; e.g., arson, rape, robbery, or burglary.
  7. 2nd Degree Murder - Homicide perpetrated with the intent to kill, but without evidence that it was pre-meditated. Often these are described as "Crimes of Passion".
  8. Chest Plate - The portion of the chest wall that is removed during an autopsy to gain access to the heart and lungs.
  9. Coroner - An elected official who may or may not have any medical or forensic training. Their primary duty is to investigate any death thought to be of unnatural causes.
  10. Death Certificate - A legal paper that verifies the name of the deceased, lists the cause of death, and the manner of death.
  11. Forensic Autopsy - An autopsy authorized by a coroner or medical examiner, done when there is an unexpected death. No family permission is required.
  12. Formalin - A 37% solution of Formaldehyde in water, which is used as a fixative agent to preserve tissue.
  13. Histology - The microscopic examination of tissue samples taken during the autopsy.
  14. Medical Autopsy - An autopsy conducted in a hospital, either for educational purposes or for a clearer explanation of the cause of death of a hospital patient. Medical autopsies require the permission of the next of kin.
  15. Medical Examiner - A physician officially authorized by a governmental unit to ascertain causes of deaths, especially those not occurring under natural circumstances.
  16. Rokitansky Method - The method of autopsy that involves the removal of the body organs all at once. Heart, liver, kidneys, urinary bladder, prostate gland etc..
  17. Stryker Saw - A saw with a vibrating blade that is used during autopsy. It is able to cut through bone without damaging any surrounding soft tissue. 
  18. Vitreous Humor - The liquid portion of the eye. Toxicologists analyze the Vitreous Humor for traces of chemicals and drugs because they remain longer in this jelly-like substance than in the bloodstream.
  19. Y-Incision - A y-shaped incision made from the chest to the abdomen, which permits the examination of the heart, lungs and all abdominal organs.
  20. Mechanism of Death - The process that causes one or more vital organs or organ systems to fail when a fatal disease, injury, abnormality, or chemical insult occurs. It is the functional physiologic or structural change that makes independent life no longer possible after a lethal event has occurred.
  21. Manner of Death - The fashion or circumstances that result in death, which are designated natural or unnatural.

 

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