Forensic Autopsy

OBJECTVES
TO KNOW:
Definition of Autopsy.
Why we have an autopsy?
Types of Autopsies.
Definition of dental autopsy.
Collection and preservation evidences
Examination protocols.
 What is Autopsy?

•The term ”Autopsy” means ‘’to see for oneself’’ and has been is use in
reference to determine cause of death by examining a body since the
17th century .
• Autopsy also known as postmortem examination or necropsy: is the
dissection and examination of a dead body, its organs and structures
to determine the cause of death.
Autopsies
 Why have an Autopsy done

1.Saving lives : Autopsies can enhance our understanding of diseases and how we
die , and contribute critical medical knowledge .
2. Identifying public health emergencies : pathologists haven’t identified public
health emergencies , such as the anthrax terrorist attacks or other lethal infection
diseases until after autopsy , as we as public health hazard , such defective cribs that
kill babies.
3.Discovering Hereditary Illness: Autopsies can help family members learn whether
a relative died from an undiagnosed or misdiagnosed illness or disease that may be
hereditary.
 Dr. Davis at the University of Kentucky says that ‘’40 percent autopsies
Performed in the US. reveal disease states previously unknown to physicians in
large part because the autopsy employs techniques that cannot be used on the
living’’
4. Providing Legal Evidence as in:
I. homicide cases.
II. suicidal cases.
III. Death as result of work.
 IV. Death due to environmental hazard.
V. Death as a result of medical malpractice .
VI. Others
5. Easing the Stress of the Unknown: Autopsies can also be an
important way for families and loved ones to seek reassurance or peace
of mind after death.
 Types of Autopsies:

1- Clinical autopsy; Usually preformed in hospital by pathologists or

the Attending physician to determine the cause of death for training,
research and study purposes.
2- Forensic autopsy: Examiner spends as much time on the external
surface as they do on the internal surface because that’s where the
evidence is. This is usually
•as a part of an overall police investigation.
Clinical & Forensic Autopsy
 Classification of manners of Death:

In a forensic autopsy, a forensic pathologist,Anthropologist, odontologists

declare the death to be one of the following:
1. Natural
2. Accidental
3. Homicidal
4. Suicide
5. Unknown cause
1. Natural Death
Caused by a known disease: heart disease, stroke, cancer, genetic disorders, etc.
Often just simply ‘’old age’’ruber rayford earliest confirmed case of hiv/aids
2. Accidental Death
Caused by mistake Of freak occurrence
Death not planned ,but can be explained by circumstances.
Falling, Fire, Car ,wreck, extreme heat or cold.
3- Homicidal Death
• Killing another person.
• Lots of people killing is termed Genocide (Killing a national, ethnic, racial or religious
group)
•Homicide is the most investigated, therefore the most autopsied.
4. Suicidal Death
•Intentional Killing of self. Often the easiest to identify.
• Can be elaborated further in the report... toxic, firearm, blunt force trauma, asphyxiation.
• Terrorist suicidal attacks.
5. Unknown Death
•Unable to conclude how a person died
•Deaths in Absentia.
•Deaths at Sea.
•Badly decayed bodies
 Definition

•Dental autopsy is a complete external and internal dental and Medical

examination of the maxillofacial area that occurs after death.
• Dental autopsy isn’t usually Completed in an attempt to Determine the cause of
death when it is not readily known, but more commonly to collect postmortem
dental findings in the interest Of human identification
Collection and Preservation evidence :
•Dental autopsy should often be conducted under the direction the police
departments or his designee, typically a forensic departments.
the protocol for the collection of postmortem dental evidence, particularly decisions to
incise the facial tissues for access. or resect the jaws, should be subjected to a
preapproval.
A. Examination Protocols:
•Visually identifiable body
•1-photographs
•2- Radiograhs
•3- dental charting
•4. Dental impression as applicable
•5-resecation by infra-mandibular dissection.
Decomposed /incinerated body

•1-photographs
•2-radiographs
•3-dental charting
•4-recesation and preservation of jaw specimens if indicated.
 Skeletonized remains

1-photographs
2-radiographs
3-dental charting
4- preservation of jaw specimens if indicated.
•B. Photography
• Photographic documentation of dental evidence can provide objective data
which is often more graphic than the written chart.
•Photographs with the scale should be taken before and after appropriate
cleansing. ABFO2Ruler is recommended.

•the photographs should be clearly labeled with the case number, date and the
name it available. all relevant photographic information should be documented .
Recommended Equipment :

•1. Single lens reflex (SLR) digital or 35 mm camera.

•2. Electronic flash (preferably point flash or ring light system).
•3. Check retractors.
• 4.Intra oral front-surface mirrors
-film
•1. Color film (slide and/or print format).
•2. black and white film, as Required.
•- Views
•1. Full face, lips retracted,
•2. Close-up view of anterior teeth
•3. Lateral views of teeth in slightly open position, and in occlusion
•4. Occlusal view of upper & lower teeth
•5. Special views, as required
 C. Jaw Resection

•Facial dissection and /or Jaw resection , which may be necessary for full access to
dental structures , is done only with preapproval .
•Ordinarily, the circumstance dictating decisions to resect are applicable as follows.
•I- viewable Bodies:
•Restricted opening due to rigor may require;
• Intraoral incision of the masticatory muscles, with or without fracture of the
condyles.
•. infra-mandibular dissection with or without mandibular resection
•. removal of the larynx and tongue at autopsy may facilitate the visual examination
of the teeth and/or placement of intra oral films.
•. the removal of these tissues should only be performed after the autopsy and
with permission of the pathologist.
•.These tissues should either be retained by the pathologist or replaced with the
body.
2- Decomposed or incinerated , or
Fragmented Bodies
. Jaw resection in such cases facilitates dental charting and radiographic
examination.
•Careful dissection of the incinerated head , in particular, is required to preserve
fragile tooth structure and jaws in situ.
•. radiographs should be made prior to manipulation of badly burned fragments .
•. mechanical (or chemical) sterilization of such tissue should be instituted where
necessary .
•3. Skeletonized remains
•. Since the skull and mandible are readily separated from the remainder of the
skeleton , resection of the maxilla is not required .
GOOD LUCK EVERY ONE