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Post Mortem Examinations

Post Mortem Examinations

Post Mortem Examinations: Understanding the Process and Importance

Post mortem examinations, commonly known as autopsies, are a medical procedure that involves a thorough examination of a deceased’s body. The process aims to identify the cause of death and any underlying conditions or diseases that may have led to the person’s demise.

Understanding the Process of a Post Mortem Examination

Post mortem examinations take place in a specially designed room in the hospital or medical facility, and the process requires consent from the family or legal guardian of the deceased. Once consent is granted, a team of trained professionals conducts a series of tests, including a careful examination of the body’s organs, tissues, and fluids.

During the examination, the pathologist looks for signs of disease, injury, or trauma that may have contributed to the person’s death. They may also take samples of body fluids, such as blood, urine, or tissue, which are then analyzed in a laboratory for further investigation.

The Importance of Post Mortem Examinations

Post mortem examinations play a crucial role in understanding the cause of death for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the results of the examination can provide families with closure and answers about why their loved one passed away. It can also help them make informed decisions about their own health.

Secondly, the information gathered from post mortem examinations can help medical professionals better understand diseases and conditions that may have caused the person’s death. For example, if a post mortem examination reveals an undiagnosed heart condition, it could prompt doctors to investigate similar cases in living patients and potentially prevent future fatalities.

Thirdly, post mortem examinations are essential in legal cases, particularly those involving criminal investigations. The evidence gathered from post mortem examinations can help establish the cause of death, provide vital forensic evidence, and often plays a significant role in determining the outcome of a case.

In conclusion, while the idea of a post mortem examination may be unsettling, the process is critical to understanding the cause of death and improving medical procedures. It provides invaluable information to families and medical professionals and often contributes to the advancement of medical research, forensic science, and criminal investigations.


Post Mortem Examinations

Post mortem is a Latin phrase that means “after death”. It often refers to an autopsy, which is the examination of a body of a person after his death in order to medically determine the cause of death.  When a cause of death cannot be determined or is not certified by an attending physician, a medical examiner can hold an inquest or inquisition. This sometimes happens with a body of a person who may have died in a violent matter or in a suspicious death, such as death in prison.

The post mortem exam is done in order to find out certain details about the individual and death including:

·         Cause of death

·         The person’s health before death

·         Whether a medical diagnosis or a treatment given before death was an appropriate course of action

In a rare situation where the cause of death still cannot be determined through a post mortem, the medical examiner may hold an inquest with a hearing. A medical examiner has the power to summon individuals to the inquest.

In a post mortem examination, the medical examiner looks at the external portion of the body. This includes documenting through notes and paperwork along with taking pictures of the body from different angles. If necessary, a post mortem may also include an x-ray.

After the external portion of the post mortem examination, the medical examiner then proceeds with the internal portion of the examination by making an incision in the chest of the person. One by one, internal organs are removed and examined. Tissue samples from the organs can be further examined. Usually some of the tissues are saved for a certain period of time as well.

Both written consent and clear communication are needed in order to retain the tissue along with other body parts from a post mortem exam. This applies to both the medical examiner as well as the hospital in respect to the relatives of the person.

In the United States, a post mortem is often used to determine the cause of death for legal purposes. United States law categorizes cause of deaths in five different categories:

·         Natural

·         Accident

·         Suicide

·         Homicide

·         Undetermined

Depending on the jurisdiction involved, undetermined cause of death can include deaths in absentia, meaning the person was declared to be dead despite any remains such as a skeleton or a corpse.

Aside from determining cause of death, a post mortem exam can sometimes be used to find the manner and cause of death and to identify a decent, particularly if the death was suspicious, violent, or without medical assistance or surgical procedures.

They can also be done for clinical or academic purposes. Performing the procedure can often lead to insight in just what processes were involved in the death. The can also be used to study anatomical structures.