Forensic Pathology

What is the first part of the postmortem exam?

External Exam

• cuts, bruises, scars

• discoloured skin

• position of body

• gunshot or stab-wounds = type of weapon used

• skin under fingernails = struggle/fighting

• bruising in the mouth

• tattoos can conceal injection sites = look closely

• teeth recorded = dental records useful for identification

What is the process of the postmortem exam?

1. Look at circumstances

2. Complete exam (internal & external)

3. Take samples - histopathology

4. Extraction chemical analysis

5. Identify & Quantify

6. Was there a toxic chemical present? Was is a fatal dose?

What is histopathology?

the study of tissues/organs affected by disease

What is the second part of the postmortem exam?

Internal Exam

• torso opened, followed by the head

• organs removed and weighed one at a time - histopathology

  • weight is important = if heart is heavier than usual, suggests congestive heart disease as a cause of death

  • look at the liver for paracetamol poisoning cases = yellow, green colour and slightly smaller

  • foreign objects identified = trajectories, all recorded

  • entry/exit wounds are analysed to determine the murder weapon - if necessary

What is forensic pathology?

• a postmortem exam to identify circumstances and cause of death (mainly used in specific cases or where death isn’t obvious)

• use of histopathology = cutting up organs to see if they colours inside are healthy, the study of tissues or organs that may have been affected by disease