autopsy Flashcards
legal context, definitions, overview of post mortem procedures, types of post mortem, Histology/toxicology at autopsy, resources.
Coroners law includes 4 things what are they?
post mortem examination
registration
inquests
Disposal
human tissue act includes 3 things what are they?
Retention
disposal of human tissue
consent
Specific legislation includes 7 things:
- common law
- births and deaths registration 1953
- registration of births and deaths regulation 1987
- Coroners and justice act 2009
- Coroners rule 1984
- human tissue act 2004 and
coroners act 1988
in the process after death, what can happen after the death is discussed with coroner/officer?
death certified by doctor after informal advice from coroner or Coroner issues form 100A
what is a death certificate?
A certified copy of the entry in the death register
what medical certificate of cause of death states the official cause of death?
1 (A), 1 (B) ,1 (C) and 2 format
what is a green form?
certificate for burial or cremation:
- proof of next of kin/ who is conducting the funeral
- proof death has been registered
what is needed for cremation?
additional forms
what is the role of a coroner?
they are an independent judicial officer, can be court based, usually from a legal or medical background.
what does a coroner do?
decides whether a post mortem should be performed. resides over inquests, can influence legal changes and concludes manner of death.
what does a coroners officer do?
- attend scenes of deaths, post mortems and inquests. they gather info and can act on behalf of the coroner.
they also liaise closely with the family
what is a pathologist?
they are medically qualified personnel who usually work in a lab, office or mortuary
what does a pathologist do?
preform post mortems, dissections and eviscerations. can specialise in forensics, establish cause of death and performs diagnostic histology duties.
what does Apt stand for?
anatomical pathologist technologist
what does an APT do?
mortuary based, employed by the hospital. they assist pathologist in evisceration and are the custodian of the deceased.
what is a medical examiner?
they are the senior doctor in the medical examiner office.
what are some of the medical examiner roles?
provides greater safeguard for the public and improve the quality of mortality data.
when is a post mortem examination needed?
-unnatural or unknown cause
- suspicious or death in custody
or in cases of specific interest or concern for the coroner
why is a post mortem needed?
public interest, cause of death or make legislative changes. can also be needed for insurance or mortality records
when is consent required for a post mortem?
in a hospital post-mortem
what is coroner’s jurisdiction?
the coroner has the right to take possession of the body or post mortem examination
what are the 3 main types of post mortem?
Coroners, forensic, hospital
who completes the evisceration in a coroners PM?
the APT
Why is a forensic post mortem completed?
for evidence collection, suspicious death and to establish COD.
