The Autopsy

Question 1

Name the four tyoes of deaths that must be reported to a coroner?

Answer 1

1-The cause of death is unknown

2-The deceased has not been seen by the certifying doctor either after death or within the 14 days before death

3-The death was violent, unnatural or suspicious

4-The death may be due to an accident (whenever it occurred)

5-The death may be due to neglect by self or others

6-The death may be due to an industrial disease or due to the deceased persons employment

7-The death may be due to an abortion

8-The death occurred during an operation or before recovery from the effects of an anaesthetic

9-The death may be a suicide

10-The death occurred during or shortly after detention in police or prison custody

11-The death may be related to poisoning

Question 2

What are the reasons for a hospital Audit?

Answer 2

Allows a very thorough examination of the deceased, the extent of their disease, their treatment and its effects

Audit – Major discrepancies between stated cause of death and actual cause of death

Monitoring effectiveness of new treatments
Eg complex congenital heart disease

Teaching
Eg unrivalled clinic pathological correlation

Research
Eg knowledge of variant CJD relies heavily on study of post mortem brain tissue

Question 3

Name the two types of autopsy?

Answer 3

• Hospital

- Coroners

Question 4

Explain how the need for consent from the deceased relatives differ between a coroners and a hospital autopsy?

Answer 4

Hospital- Consent must be obtained from next of kin

With consent any material can be taken

Coroners-No consent of next of kin needed (but their wishes should be considered)

Material can only be taken if it bears upon the cause of death (with Coroners permission)

Question 5

List causes of sudden unexpected death in the community?

Answer 5

-Cardiovascular Disease- coronary artery disease

-Hypertensive Heart Disease-
conoary atherosclerosis

• Vascular system-ruptured aortic aneurysm
• Central nervous system- intercerebral haemorrhage
• Respiratory system-pulmonary embolus and astma
• GI tract- pancreatitis
• Drugs
• Trauma

Question 6

Defina a bruise?

Answer 6

An extraversated collection of blood which has leaked from damaged small arteries, venules and veins but not capillaries

Question 7

Give example of an mechanism of an injury that would lead to a bruise?

Answer 7

A blunt trauma injury

Occurs alone (skin intact)
or
is associated with other injuries

Question 8

Define abrasion?

Answer 8

A graze or scratch

The most superficial of blunt trauma injuries

Confined to the epidermis (strict definition) but may actually extend into the superficial dermis due to skin anatomy)

Can occur before and after death

Question 9

Give example of an mechanism of an injury that would lead to a abrasion?

Answer 9

Friction burn
Car radiator
Flooring
Whip
Stamp

Question 10

Define laceration?

Answer 10

A split to the skin

The result of blunt force overstretching the skin

Usually pass through the full thickness of the skin

Question 11

Give example of an mechanism of an injury that would lead to a laceration?

Answer 11

Fall
Punch
stick
hammer
bomb
wheel of car (flaying)

Question 12

Differentiate between a cut and a stab?

Answer 12

Cut-The length of the injury is longer than its depth

Stab-The depth of the wound is greater than the width

Question 13

List the causes of a stab or a cut?

Answer 13

Causes by an object with a sharp or cutting edge

Usually a knife but can be anything eg a broken glass or bottle or a piece of metal