Body autopsy procedures are an essential aspect of the medical world that helps to determine the cause of death after the investigation of the deceased body. An autopsy is a medical examination conducted after a person passes away to determine the cause and manner of death. The examination may be done for legal or medical reasons to examine various organs in the body and tissues to ascertain the cause of death or detect any disease that was not earlier identified.
Today, medical science is advanced enough that an autopsy can be done without the family or the authorities noticing any evidence of the examination. We will provide insights into everything you need to know about body autopsy procedures.
Why are Autopsies Performed?
The primary aim of an autopsy is to determine the cause and manner of death. The goal is to determine if the person died naturally or because of an unnatural cause, such as an accident, homicide, or suicide. An autopsy is necessary when the cause of death is unknown, or when the death is suspicious.
Additionally, an autopsy will give additional information about the health of the deceased. Such information may help to identify diseases or injuries that were not previously detected. These may include infectious diseases, such as bacterial or fungal infections, or endemic or tropical diseases.
The autopsy may also help identify genetic diseases that were not present in other family members. This can provide important information about inherited diseases.
Types of Autopsies
Autopsies are typically divided into two broad categories – Forensic and Clinical.
Forensic Autopsies
Forensic autopsies, as the name suggests, are performed for legal reasons. They are conducted to ascertain the case of death, particularly when it is unnatural, such as homicide, suicide, or accident.
In a forensic autopsy, the pathologist will first examine the scene where the death occurred. The goal is to identify anything that can offer insights into the cause of death. The examination can include looking at bloodstains or the position of the body.
Next, the pathologist will examine the body. The procedure may include taking blood, urine, and other fluids for analysis. They will also examine the organs, tissues, and bones looking for injuries, fractures, or any other indications of unnatural death.
Clinical Autopsies
A clinical autopsy, in contrast, is conducted for medical research purposes. This type of autopsy is often done to determine why a patient died or to identify any underlying medical condition that may have caused death.
A clinical autopsy is typically conducted on patients who have been treated in the hospital, although sometimes it may be done on outpatients. The procedure may include an examination of the brain, heart, and lungs, as well as the liver and kidneys. The pathologist will also take samples from various organs for evaluation under a microscope.
The clinical autopsy results may help doctors understand the disease process, particularly when the patient was suffering from a rare or experimental disease. This information can be used to develop better treatments or to prevent the disease from spreading.
How are Autopsies Performed?
The process of performing an autopsy is complex and may differ depending on the type of autopsy conducted. Some of the steps taken include:
Examination of the External Body
The first step in the autopsy process is to examine the external body. The pathologist will look for signs of injury or trauma, such as bruises or contusions. They will also look for any medical devices in the body, such as a pacemaker.
Removal of Organs
Next, the pathologist will remove the organs from the body. The goal is to examine them separately to identify any disease or injury.
The organs that are typically removed include the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidney. The brain is also removed because it is essential to determine the cause of death.
Examination of the Organs
Each organ is examined individually, either visually or under a microscope. This process is critical in determining the cause of death, particularly if the deceased suffered from a disease.
Reconstruction of the Organs
Finally, the organs are put back into the body, and the body is reconstructed. Any missing organs will be filled up with some safe materials such as cotton, wax, or clay designed to emulate the lost organ.
Conclusion
Autopsies remain a critical part of medical and legal procedures. Forensic autopsies are mainly used in legal proceedings to help establish the cause of death, while clinical autopsies are performed to help medical professionals understand the disease process, particularly in patients who died of rare illnesses. Autopsies are a valuable tool that helps to identify new diseases or mutations that may affect future generations or to understand diseases better and develop new, targeted treatments.
