Maybe you’ve seen scenes in movies or on TV where doctors try to figure out why a person died. That procedure is called an autopsy or postmortem (which means “after death”). You might have thought it was kind of gross but also kind of interesting. If you’re considering a career as a doctor or crime investigator, learning what happens during an autopsy or postmortem will be part of your professional education.
The Difference Between Hospital and Coroner Autopsies
There are two types of autopsies. Hospital autopsies usually take place with the family’s permission to find out more about what caused someone to pass away. Was it an undetected disease or other medical condition? Or was it a medical mistake or accident?
On the other hand, a coroner or medical examiner conducts autopsies when someone dies unexpectedly, violently, or under suspicious circumstances. These professionals then provide information that can help in criminal investigations.
Coroners are usually elected officials and aren’t necessarily doctors. If an autopsy is necessary to find out why someone died, the coroner turns to the medical examiner. Medical examiners are doctors, and they can perform the procedures necessary to find out why someone died.
The Steps of an Autopsy
Autopsies follow a typical pattern. The first step is a visual inspection of the body. The doctor, pathologist (a doctor who studies the causes of diseases and examines tissue samples), or medical examiner looks carefully at the body for any signs of disease or injury.
Next is an external examination. The professional performing the examination will weigh and measure the body and note any distinguishing features, such as scars or tattoos. If the death is suspicious, they will also do things like take samples from under the fingernails or examine and test the skin for residue from gunshots or foreign substances.
Finally, there’s an internal examination. The doctor uses a scalpel to make a large Y-shaped incision diagonally from the shoulders to the center of the chest and down past the belly. This makes it possible for the doctor to check the internal organs for any signs of disease or injury. To reach the organs and take samples, the doctor may use tools like rib spreaders or even bone saws. After opening the chest, they need to choose the right laboratory scissors to take samples while causing the least amount of additional damage possible to the organs.
What Happens to the Body After the Autopsy
The idea of an autopsy can be upsetting to family members. Doctors and medical examiners are aware of this, so after the autopsy, they carefully put the body back together and sew up any incisions. They’ll then clean the body and prepare it for burial or cremation.
While autopsies might seem a bit gross, they’re also fascinating, and they play a crucial role in medicine and criminal investigations. If you’re interested in these fields, having a clear understanding of what happens during an autopsy or postmortem will help you understand your future profession.
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