Composed by : Jan Muhammad Laghari

AUTOPSY.
An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination or necropsy (in the case of animals), is a

medical procedure carried out by a qualified pathologist to examine a deceased person's body to

determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsies serve several purposes, including:

​ Determining the Cause of Death: Autopsies are conducted to identify the medical
conditions or injuries that led to a person's death. This information is crucial for legal,
medical, and public health purposes.
​
​ Investigation of Suspicious Deaths: In cases where the circumstances surrounding a
person's death are unclear, suspicious, or potentially criminal, autopsies can provide
valuable evidence to aid in investigations.
​
​ Medical Research and Education: Autopsies contribute to medical knowledge by
providing insights into disease processes, treatment outcomes, and the effects of injuries.
They are also used in medical education to train future physicians and pathologists.
​
​ Confirmation of Diagnosis: In some cases, autopsies are conducted to confirm or revise
a diagnosis made during the person's life. This can be particularly important for
understanding the progression of diseases and evaluating the effectiveness of medical
treatments.

During an autopsy, the pathologist carefully examines the external and internal features of the

body, including organs, tissues, and bodily fluids. They may collect samples for further analysis,

such as toxicology tests or microbiological cultures. The findings of the autopsy are documented

in a detailed report, which may include information about the cause of death, contributing

factors, and any relevant observations.

It's important to note that autopsies are typically performed with the consent of the deceased

person's next of kin, unless mandated by law (such as in cases of suspicious deaths). Autopsy
procedures vary depending on the jurisdiction, legal requirements, and specific circumstances of

each case.

TYPES OF AUTOPSY.
Forensic Autopsy
● Forensic autopsies are performed to determine the cause and manner of death in cases
where the circumstances surrounding the death are suspicious, violent, accidental, or
unexplained.
● These autopsies are typically ordered by law enforcement agencies, medical examiners,
or coroners to gather evidence for criminal investigations or legal proceedings.
● Forensic autopsies are comprehensive and focus on documenting injuries, identifying any
signs of trauma or foul play, and collecting forensic evidence such as DNA samples,
gunshot residue, or trace evidence.
● The findings of forensic autopsies may be used in criminal trials, civil lawsuits, insurance
claims, or other legal proceedings.

Rules to be followed for medicolegal autopsy:

. The autopsy should be authorized by the appropriate legal authority, such as a coroner
or medical examiner, especially in cases of suspicious, violent, or unexpected deaths.

. The body should be identified by a police officer or any relative of the person whose
autopsy is being done .

. It should be done in mortuary and never at any private place and no unauthorized person
shall be allowed only IO can be allowed .

. There is no specific day for doing an autopsy; it should be done even in both holidays
and working days .

. Autopsy procedures may involve collaboration between pathologists, forensic experts,

law enforcement agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive
investigation and interpretation of findings.

.Safety measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as
gloves, masks, and goggles, should be followed to protect against potential hazards,
including exposure to infectious agents and chemical substances.

. Autopsy facilities should have standardized protocols and procedures in place to ensure
consistency and quality control.
 . Autopsies should be performed in a timely manner to ensure the preservation of
evidence and facilitate accurate determination of the cause and manner of death.

. All evidence collected during the autopsy, including biological samples and physical
evidence, must be properly documented, labeled, and secured to maintain the chain of
custody.

. After completion of autopsy the body shall be handed over to police.

. PM report should not be given to any party .

. The injuries are shown only to IO so that if there is a need of correction.

. Even if body is mutilated, fragmented or decomposed

autopsy should be performed, as certain evidence may
still to be discovered.

Clinical or Hospital Autopsy:

● Clinical autopsies, also known as hospital autopsies or medical autopsies, are performed
in hospital settings primarily for medical and educational purposes.
● These autopsies are conducted to understand the underlying diseases, complications, or
treatment outcomes that contributed to a patient's death.
● Clinical autopsies help healthcare professionals identify diagnostic errors, assess the
efficacy of medical treatments, and improve patient care by providing insights into
disease processes.
● Unlike forensic autopsies, clinical autopsies do not focus on documenting external
injuries or collecting forensic evidence unless relevant to the medical investigation.

Academic Autopsy
The term "academic autopsy" is not commonly used in the same way as forensic or clinical

autopsies. However, in the context of medical education and research, the term "academic

autopsy" may refer to a type of autopsy performed primarily for educational or academic

purposes.
An academic autopsy shares some similarities with clinical autopsies in that it is performed to

study disease processes, understand anatomical variations, and enhance medical knowledge.

However, academic autopsies may differ in their focus, scope, and objectives.

Here are some key characteristics of academic autopsies:

​ Educational Focus: Academic autopsies are conducted primarily to educate medical

students, residents, or other healthcare professionals. They provide hands-on learning
experiences and opportunities to observe anatomical variations, pathological findings,
and clinical correlations.
​ Research Opportunities: Academic autopsies may also serve as a source of research
material for medical researchers and scientists. Post-mortem examination of tissues and
organs can provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms, treatment outcomes, and
the progression of diseases.
​
​ Collaborative Efforts: Academic autopsies often involve collaboration between
pathology departments, medical schools, and teaching hospitals. Pathologists, educators,
and students work together to plan, conduct, and interpret the findings of autopsies.
​
​ Emphasis on Teaching Methodology: Academic autopsies may incorporate innovative
teaching methodologies, such as multimedia presentations, virtual simulations, or
interactive case discussions, to enhance the learning experience for students.

While academic autopsies may not be performed exclusively for research or forensic purposes,

they play a vital role in medical education, training future generations of healthcare

professionals, and advancing medical knowledge. These autopsies contribute to a deeper

understanding of human anatomy, pathology, and clinical medicine, ultimately benefiting patient

care and public health.

Post Mortem Examination

A post-mortem examination, commonly referred to as an autopsy, is a medical procedure

performed on a deceased individual to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsies serve

various purposes, including medical, legal, and scientific.

Here's an overview of the post-mortem examination process:

● Authorization and Consent: Before conducting an autopsy, authorization from the

appropriate authority or consent from the deceased's next of kin is typically required,

unless mandated by law. In cases of suspicious or unexplained deaths, autopsies may be

conducted by legal mandate without explicit consent.

● External Examination: The process usually begins with an external examination of the

body. The pathologist examines the external features for any signs of trauma, injury,

disease, or abnormalities. They may document injuries, bruises, wounds, or other visible

marks.

In external autopsy the details of the body parts is gotten which is discussed bellow.

​ Head and Neck:

● Face: Inspection of the face for injuries, bruising, lacerations, or other

abnormalities.

● Scalp: Examination of the scalp for injuries, abrasions, contusions, or signs of

trauma.

● Hair: Assessment of the hair for any evidence of injuries, foreign materials, or

alterations.
 ● Eyes: Inspection of the eyes for signs of trauma, hemorrhage, or other

abnormalities.

● Ears: Examination of the ears for injuries, bruising, or abnormalities.

● Nose: Assessment of the nose for injuries, bleeding, or other abnormalities.

● Mouth: Inspection of the mouth, including the lips, gums, teeth, and tongue, for

injuries, bruising, or signs of foreign materials.

​ Torso:

● Chest: Examination of the chest for injuries, contusions, abrasions, or signs of

trauma.

● Abdomen: Inspection of the abdomen for injuries, bruising, lacerations, or signs

of trauma.

● Back: Assessment of the back for injuries, abrasions, contusions, or abnormalities.

● Genitalia: Examination of the external genitalia for injuries, bruising, or signs of

trauma.

​ Upper Extremities:

● Arms: Examination of the arms for injuries, bruising, lacerations, or signs of

trauma.
 ● Hands: Assessment of the hands for injuries, abrasions, contusions, or signs of

trauma.

● Fingernails: Inspection of the fingernails for evidence of trauma, foreign

materials, or other abnormalities.

​ Lower Extremities:

● Legs: Examination of the legs for injuries, bruising, lacerations, or signs of

trauma.

● Feet: Assessment of the feet for injuries, abrasions, contusions, or signs of trauma.

● Toenails: Inspection of the toenails for evidence of trauma, foreign materials, or

other abnormalities.

● Internal Examination: Following the external examination, an internal examination of

the body is conducted. The pathologist performs a systematic dissection of the body to
 examine internal organs, tissues, and structures. Organs such as the brain, heart, lungs,

liver, kidneys, and intestines are examined for signs of disease, injury, or abnormality.

● Parts of the autopsy report.

● Pre amble .

● .PMR no. with date.

● . Name

● Father’s/husband’s name

● Age

● Sex

● Caste

● Occupation

● Address

● FIR no and brought by

● Person identifying the body and when brought

● Information furnished by police officer .

Body of PMR findings.

Consists of complete description and findings

on external and internal examination of dead

Body.

It should contain complete description of injuries- no, type , size.

(dimensions/measurements), shape, situation/

exact location (distance from 2 anatomical/bony

land marks), direction etc.

Post amble

The pathologist's opinions, conclusions, or recommendations based on the findings of the

autopsy. This may include suggestions for further investigation, medical management, or legal
action, as well as any additional considerations or concerns.

The post-amble section of an autopsy report serves to provide a concise summary of the key

findings and conclusions drawn from the examination, ensuring that the relevant information is

clearly communicated to stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, medical professionals,

legal authorities, and the deceased individual's family members.