Advanced Embalming Procedures - MSFS 360

Who typically performs autopsies?

Forensic pathologist

Who typically orders autopsies?

Coroner/Medical Examiner

Why perform an autopsy?

To determine cause, manner, time of death; recovery, ID, preservation of evidence, provision of factual and objective info for legal authorities

When should autopsies be performed?

All sudden deaths not caused by readily recognized disease, suspicious circumstances (drugs, alcohol, etc.), violence/trauma (suicides), fetal/infant deaths, stillbirths, all operative/perioperative deaths, individual can’t be ID’d, uncertain to to be reported to coroner

Work practice controls to consider

Bone edges are sharp, be aware of instrument placement, practice continuous aspiration of cavity, avoid high water pressure, clamp leaking vessels

Autopsy embalming analysis

Mostly same as normal body, fluid strength stronger than average, rigor may be present, but most likely has passed; hemolysis common in refrigerated bodies, dyes show in shell embalming, pressure/rate of flow are different (slower), open drainage

Complete autopsy