PROCEEDURE  OF  POST MORTEM :

 

Definition: Autopsy means to self viewing , all the body cavities must be opened.note thefindings.  body cavities are  1) Skull  2) Thorax  3) Abdomen.

Autopsy findings are discussed under 3 heads;

Pre amble, External and Internal findings.

External findings: what we see over the body, like cloths, ornaments, any discharge & oozes , Injuries etc.

n Findings in the face
n Findings in the neck
n Findings in other parts

Findings in the face:

v   Swollen, cyanosed.
v   Prominent eyeballs
v   Dilated pupils
v   Sub conjunctival hemorrhage
v   Protrusion of the tongue, froth around mouth
v   Discharge from nose / ears
v   Marks of salivary dribbling stains.
 

Findings in the neck:

Abrasions, ligature mark, nail marks , contusions etc

v     Prominently distended neck veins, above the ligature      
v     Ligature mark of hanging                 

1.In runs obliquely, upwards, backwards above the thyroid cartilage , normally in typical hanging , but varies also. below the  Noose ligature mark usually absent.   

Note:  Never discard the ligature material if present over the body, unlock it , and hand over to police.

2. Skin below the ligature mark is usually preached, pale, dry, hard and may be with small abrasions. ligature may be single are multiple.

Findings in other parts of the body:

v  Bluish discoloration of  fingernails (cyanosis)
v  Purple  colored postmortem hypostasis( P.M.Lividity varies with different poisons) in the lower limbs and lower regions of upper limbs. Contact pallor where the body touch the ground.
v Voiding of urine / stools

In male victims:

v Penile turgidity penis may be found turgid and.
v  Seminal voiding .

 Internal:

v Findings in the lungs : hemorrhagic spots (Tardieu’s spots), water in lung

 Findings in the brain : Any Hemorrhage over brain congestion / pale, Tardieu’s spots

Findings in abdominal viscera : each organ to examined , weighed , look any clots of blood inabodomen suggests blunt injury abdomen.

VISCERA TO BE SENT TO FORENSIC SCIENCES LAB:

1.Stomach and its contents.  ( Preserved in saturated sodium chloride solution )

2.Each half of kidney.( Longitudinally )

3.100 gms of Liver.

4.1 meter of small intestine.

5.10 ml of Blood.