AUTOPSY OF A DILL PICKLE PERSON LAB

Preparation for Teacher

1. Students should already have been introduced to anatomical regions, directions
and body cavities terminology.
2. Obtain Supplies- per pair of students
a. 1 large dill pickle
b. 1 dissection kit
c. 3 toothpicks
d. 1 piece of paper clip cut into a few mm long
e. 1 roll of pH paper
f. 1 microscope, slide and cover slip per pair or group
3. Prepare each pickle person:
a. Snap 2 toothpicks in half and use each half to make arms and legs for each
pickle.
b. Snap another toothpick in half to make eyes for the pickle person.
c. Take a small piece (~3mm) of paper clip and insert it into the left lumbar
(lower back) region of the pickle person so that it is relatively deep and will
be discovered upon dissection of the ventral body cavity. The hole may also
be discovered upon external inspection.
d. Using a scalpel, make a superficial cut in the cervical (neck) region.

Period:
Autopsy of a Dill Pickle Person
Performed by Dr. ______________________________ and Dr. _________________________________
on this ______ day of the _______ month of the year _____________.
Name of Pickle Person: _________________________________ Date of Death:
__________________
External Observations
Step 1: Place your Pickle Person in a supine (face up) position. Draw a diagram of your
pickle person in the space below. Label all scars, lacerations (cuts or tears), and
contusions (bruises). In a key next to the diagram, explain possible causes of scars or
markings. Describe any smells emanating from the body.

Step 2: Place your Pickle Person in a prone (face down) position. Repeat the procedure
from Step 1.

Preliminary Report: Using the information from your external observations, make a short
report on the external condition of the Pickle Persons body. Note the location of any
lacerations or foreign objects. Make sure to use correct anatomical terminology and
location.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Incisions

Place the Pickle Person in the supine position for the following steps.

Step 3: Make 2 deep incisions starting from both the left and the right axillary regions and cutting
in a medial direction. These incisions should meet on the midsagital plane in the thoracic region
and go as deep as the frontal plane. Diagram the Pickle Person below. Label these 2 incisions
with 2 dotted lines, A.

Step 4: Starting where Step 3 left off, make an inferior, deep incision along the midsagittal plane
from where the 2 cuts A meet. Stop approximately 1cm superior to the pubic region. Label this
incision with a dotted line, B on the diagram above.
Step 5: Begin at the inferior stopping point from Step 4 and make 2 deep, lateral cuts to the right
and left inguinal regions. Label these 2 incisions with dotted lines, C on the diagram above.
Step 6: Fold back the 2 lateral abdominal flaps to the right and the left of the Pickle Person.
Thoroughly examine the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity and look for any
abnormalities in the organs inside. Diagram the ventral body cavities in the space below. Label
the thoracic cavity, diaphragm, abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity. Use a key to document any
abnormalities.

Secondary Report: Using the information from your internal observations, make a short
report on the internal condition of the Pickle Persons body. Note the location of any
lacerations or foreign objects. Make sure to use correct anatomical terminology and
location.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Internal Environment

Step 7: A microscopic examination of the body fluids and tissues must be conducted to
determine if infectious pathogens may be present. Examine a thin slice of the Pickle Persons
internal organs under a microscope using a glass slide and coverslip. Use appropriate Microscope
technique. Diagram the findings below, including labels, a title and total magnification. Label any
abnormal findings. Repeat this step with a thin sample of your Pickle Persons skin. Look for
lesions or skin cancer.

Step 8: Collect a sample of body fluid and test the pH using the pH paper. Normal pH of human
body tissues is 7.35-7.45
pH of Pickle Persons body tissue: ____________ Acidic, basic or neutral? ________________________

PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH

In the space below, you and your partner must state 2 hypotheses on the cause of death for your
Pickle Person. Each hypothesis must be supported with specific details from the autopsy and
must contain at least 5 anatomical terms. Please write in clear, grammatically correct paragraph
form.
Possible Cause of Death #1:
_______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Evidence to Support Statement:

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Possible Cause of Death #2:
_______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Evidence to Support Statement:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________