Autopsy is a procedure of examining the dead body, it is also known as post-mortem. It is a process of detailed examination of a dead body to know WHAT? HOW? WHEN? WHERE? the death was caused. The process consists of a surgical dissection of the dead body and through examination of the deceased externally and internally. Autopsies are performed by a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP)/ Registered Medical Officer (RMO), Pathologist or Coroner. Many top science colleges in Nashik are offering degree programs in forensic science with value added certifications added in the curriculum. Let us find out more about the importance of autopsy in forensic science:
What is the Purpose of Autopsy?
- To know the Cause of death
- To identify the Mode of death
- To identify the Manner of death
- To know time since death
- To identify unknown bodies
- To know the gender, race, age of the deceased.
- For educational purposes, etc.
Types of Autopsies
- Forensic Autopsy or Medico legal Autopsy
- Pathological Autopsy
- Psychological and Anatomical Autopsy
- Virtual Autopsy
Types of Examination in Autopsy
External Examination
The external examination contains general procedures. It includes description of clothing, jewellery, presence of any tattoos, piercing or scars on body. Clothing is carefully examined for identifying the presence of any foreign substance. The other body characteristics are examined like gender, age, nutritional status, body development, hair colour, eye colour, dentition height, weight, tattoo marks, scar marks, skin pigmentation, etc. Examining the rigor mortis and livor mortis present on the body for establishing the time since death. Body temperature (algor mortis) is measured by inserting the thermometer deep into the rectum. Vagina in females is examined in a suspected assault case. Documenting the injury present on the body is another crucial aspect of external examination in forensic science. The type of injury, the pattern of injury, the location of the injury, size and shape of the injury are noted and documented.
Internal Examination
Internal examination of the dead body is followed up after external examination. It includes opening of the body by making an incision. It begins by opening the trunk at the beginning and followed by opening the head. The muscles are opened laterally and organs are removed by Virchow’s method as most preferable. Pathologists will look and note the trauma or injuries present internally on the muscles and bones. The viscera are collected as per the case history and forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further analysis.
Conclusion
An autopsy is an important part of postmortem findings and generating and presenting the reports of post-mortem findings can play a role as silent witness for justice. Interpreting autopsies is an integral part of a B.Sc in Forensic Science program. The cause of death and manner of death are important aspects revealed in postmortem findings. The signs and symptoms determining the time since death are crucial factors in the death investigation. The other aspects related to postmortem – age determination, gender determination, etc are important in decomposed or buried bodies. The PM reports are cases convicting part in a death investigation.