Concept in Definition ABC

It comes from the Greek and literally means observation or examination of a corpse. It is an integrated procedure in medicine forensic, the only branch of medicine that does not have the purpose of healing the sick

The study of a corpse

The first step is to carry out an external analysis of the deceased or corpse in order to observe possible contusions or abnormal signs. Likewise, those tissue samples are collected for subsequent analysis in the laboratory. Then one or more incisions are made in the body in order to know information about the bones and internal organs.

Examination of the corpse is comprehensive and focuses on three parts of the body: thorax, abdomen, and genital tract. Through different techniques we proceed to the extraction of the viscera for their corresponding examination.

From a historical point of view, the first autopsy was carried out in the 13th century in Italy, when a doctor examined several corpses for possible causes of a plague epidemic. In the 18th century Russia incorporated the first

rule law that required the practice of highways in cases related to violent deaths.

Main complementary exams

Five types of supplementary examinations are normally carried out to obtain more information about the deceased person. Thus, the vitreous humor is analyzed to decide the date and time of death and to detect the presence of drugs in the body. On the other hand, the other four most common complementary tests are: content analysis gastric, bladder content, possible toxic substances and immune-type analysis hematological.

Clinical and forensic type

The first is to determine the organ and tissue alterations related to diseases that were present in the deceased person, since sometimes it is necessary to know possible errors in the procedures doctors. The second is used as tool judicial to clarify the cause of death of an individual and occurs when there is evidence of a criminal nature in the body.

The forensic Medicine, also called legal medicine, is related to a wide range of atypical situations: suicides, accidents, murders, kinship analysis, etc. Autopsies also serve to learn historical information (virtual autopsies have made it possible to determine the physical characteristics of some pharaohs of ancient Egypt).

In the jargon of forensic doctors it is sometimes stated that the "dead speak."

Photo: Fotolia - necla bayraktar

Topics in Autopsy