Role of a Forensic Autopsy Technician

These flashcards cover the key concepts surrounding forensic autopsy and the role of a forensic autopsy technician, aiding in exam preparation.

What is a forensic autopsy?

A thorough examination performed by a forensic pathologist to determine cause and manner of death.

What are the major differences between a clinical and a forensic autopsy?

Clinical autopsies are performed on known natural deaths in hospitals with consent; forensic autopsies are performed on suspicious or violent deaths in coroner's offices without the need for kin consent.

What are the primary goals of a forensic autopsy?

To determine injuries or diseases that contributed to death, detect medical errors, confirm identity, determine time of death, and collect evidence.

Who can perform a forensic autopsy?

Only a forensic pathologist can perform a forensic autopsy, assisted by an autopsy technician.

What tasks does a forensic autopsy technician perform?

Assists the pathologist with body preparation, photography, organ dissection, body restoration, evidence collection, and toxicology.

What types of deaths require an autopsy?

Deaths classified as homicide, suicide, accidents, suspicious, or when natural deaths are uncertain.

When is a clinical autopsy conducted?

When the cause of death is known in natural deaths and consent is given by the next of kin.

What are toxicology tests used for in a forensic autopsy?

To identify the presence of drugs or medications that may have contributed to the death.

What is the purpose of an external examination during an autopsy?

To document the body and any visible injuries, as well as collect initial evidence.

What is the 'Y-Shaped Incision'?

A common method to open the body for internal examination during an autopsy.

What happens to the collected evidence after an autopsy?

It is documented, stored, and may be given to law enforcement for further investigation.

What is the role of toxicology in determining cause of death?

To analyze biological samples for the presence of drugs or toxins that could indicate cause or manner of death.

What is the Restoration of Body process?

The procedure to prepare the body for final viewing, ensuring it is washed, sewn up, and placed in a body bag.

What happens if the cause and manner of death cannot be determined immediately?

They will be listed as 'pending toxicology' until lab results are available.

What is the function of a rapid toxicology test?

To quickly detect the presence of specific drug metabolites in cases of suspected overdose.

What types of additional toxicology kits may be used?

PA State Tox Kit for drivers in accidents, GOL Kit for organ donors, and CO kits for suspected carbon monoxide exposure.