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 Body is being weighed
The sheet covers the body
while it is moved
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