Legal Medicine

Autopsy Report: An Overview on the History of Autopsy and

its Application in Philippine Legal Medicine
Submitted to:
Professor Joey Montemayor, Ll. B., M.D.
By:
Mary Grace O. Del Rosario
Julius Ervin O. Enciso
Jeremiah James P. Madriaga
Martin
Dani ittorio . Molina
!ana Matea ". Puache
#hannon $lyssa L. #antos
%hris&a Bea 'laudia . iolago
1
st
Semester, AY 2013-2014
1
Contents
Topic Page #
Introduction
1
History
2
Autopsies Provide Legal Evidence
3
Objective
3
Autopsies vs. Post-mortem Examination
4
Kinds o Autopsies
4
!"en s"all Autopsy be Perormed
6
#uidelines in t"e Perormance o Autopsies
7
Aut"ori$ed Persons to Perorm Autopsies
and %issections
8
&ista'es in Autopsies
8
(egative Autopsies
9
)eneits o Autopsies
9
2
!ntroduction
In te !"st #e$ $ee%s te $ord "uto!sy $"s !re&"'ent in te $or'd o#
intern"tion"' "nd 'o("' medi", demysti#yin) te tr")i( de"ts o# t$o missin) (i'dren
#ound inside "n "b"ndoned &ei('e, te sus!e(ted dru) o&erdosed o# risin) *o''y$ood
"(tor Cory +onteit "nd in te (ontro&ersi"' ,S murder ("se o# teen")e A#ri("n-
Ameri("n -r"y&on +"rtin.
/e$s, (rime s(ene dr"m"s "nd e&en te'eno&e'"s "&e #"mi'i"ri0ed us $it te
(on(e!t o# "uto!sy 1 e2"minin) " de"d !erson3s body t"t te''s us te story o# is o$n
demise.
An "uto!sy is te e2"min"tion o# te body o# " de"d !erson "nd is !er#ormed
!rim"ri'y to determine te ("use o# de"t, to identi#y or ("r"(teri0e te e2tent o# dise"se
st"tes t"t te !erson m"y "&e "d, or to determine $eter " !"rti(u'"r medi("' or
sur)i("' tre"tment "s been e##e(ti&e. In "("demi( institutions, "uto!sies sometimes "re
"'so re4uested #or te"(in) "nd rese"r( !ur!oses. 5orensi( "uto!sies "re "uto!sies $it
'e)"' im!'i("tions "nd "re !er#ormed to determine i# de"t $"s "n "((ident, omi(ide,
sui(ide, or " n"tur"' e&ent. -e $ord "uto!sy is deri&ed #rom te 6ree% $ord "uto!si":
7to see $it one8s o$n eyes.7
Auto!sies "re !er#ormed by !"to'o)ists9 medi("' do(tors $o "&e re(ei&ed
s!e(i"'ty tr"inin) in te di")nosis o# dise"ses by te e2"min"tion o# body #'uids "nd
3
tissues.
1
Auto!sy "s de#ined by :edro :. So'is, ;'.B., +.<., in is boo% ;e)"' +edi(ine is
" (om!reensi&e study o# " de"d body, !er#ormed by " tr"ined !ysi(i"n em!'oyin)
re(o)ni0ed disse(tion !ro(edure "nd te(ni4ues. It in('udes remo&"' o# tissues #or #urter
e2"min"tion. It "'so %no$n "s " post-mortem examination, necropsy =!"rti(u'"r'y "s to
non-um"n bodies>, autopsia cadaverum, or obduction 1 is " i)'y s!e(i"'i0ed sur)i("'
!ro(edure t"t (onsists o# " torou) e2"min"tion o# " (or!se to determine te ("use "nd
m"nner o# de"t "nd to e&"'u"te "ny dise"se or in?ury t"t m"y be !resent.
(istory
-e e"r'iest "n"tomists "nd !"to'o)ists (ou'd be (onsidered "n(ient unters,
but(ers, "nd (oo%s $o "d to re(o)ni0e or)"ns "nd determine i# tey $ere suit"b'y
edib'e. In "n(ient B"by'on, !er"!s "s e"r'y "s 3@00 BC, "uto!sies on "nim"'s $ere
!er#ormed not #or te study o# dise"se, but r"ter #or te !r"(ti(e o# !redi(tin) te #uture
by (ommuni("tin) $it di&ine #or(es. -e intestines "nd 'i&er $ere be'ie&ed to (ont"in
mess")es #rom di&ine s!irits.
6"'en =131-200 A.<.>, " dis(i!'e o# *i!!o(r"tes !r"(ti(in) in "n(ient 6ree(e,
!er#ormed sur)i("' dism"nt'in) =disse(tion> o# "nim"'s "nd um"ns. *e determined t"t
*i!!o(r"tes8 teory t"t dise"se $"s due to #our (ir(u'"tin) umours =!'e)m, b'ood,
ye''o$ bi'e, "nd b'"(% bi'e> $"s (orre(t. 6"'en $"s " i)'y res!e(ted, !o$er#u', "nd
do)m"ti( indi&idu"' $o domin"ted te medi("' tin%in) o# is time "nd #or undreds o#
ye"rs to #o''o$.
In )ener"', be#ore 1700 tere $"s " ne)"ti&e "ttitude re)"rdin) disse(tion o# te
um"n body. A)y!ti"ns, 6ree%s, Bom"ns, "nd medie&"' Auro!e"ns !er#ormed disse(tions
#or re'i)ious re"sons or to 'e"rn "n"tomy, but tis $"s not done in "ny system"ti( #"sion.
1
&elissa *onrad +t,ppler- &%.- http://www.medicinenet.com/autopsy/article.htm#1whatis
4
-ere $ere, o$e&er, some not"b'e e2(e!tions. In te '"te 1200s te '"$ #"(u'ty
domin"ted te ,ni&ersity o# Bo'o)n" "nd $ou'd order "uto!sies to be !er#ormed to e'!
so'&e 'e)"' !rob'ems. -us, some o# te e"r'iest "uto!sies $ere medi(o'e)"' ("ses. In te
'"te 1400s in :"du" "nd Bo'o)n", It"'y, te sites o# te $or'd8s #irst medi("' s(oo's, :o!e
Si2tus te IC issued "n edi(t !ermittin) disse(tion o# te um"n body by medi("'
students. Be#ore su( edi(ts #rom re'i)ious 'e"ders, it $"s (onsidered " (rime
to disse(t te um"n body "nd (rimin"' !rose(utions #or 7body sn"t(in)7 by students o#
"n"tomy d"te b"(% to te e"r'y 1300s.
By te 1@00s, te "uto!sy $"s )ener"''y "((e!ted by te C"to'i( Cur(,
m"r%in) te $"y #or "n "((e!ted system"ti( "!!ro"( #or te study o# um"n !"to'o)y.
Di'e " number o# 7)i"nts7 "round tis time, su( "s Ces"'ius =1@14-1@64>, :"re =1@10-
1@90>, ;"n(isi =16@4- 1720>, "nd Boer""&e =1668-1738> "d&"n(ed te "uto!sy, it is
6io&"nni B"tist" +or)")ni =1682-1771> $o "s been (onsidered te #irst )re"t
"uto!sist. <urin) is 60 ye"rs o# obser&"tions, +or)")ni insisted u!on (orre'"tion o#
!"to'o)i("' #indin)s $it ('ini("' sym!toms, m"r%in) te #irst time t"t "uto!sies m"de
m"?or (ontributions to te underst"ndin) o# dise"se in medi("' s(ien(e.
Budo'! Cir(o$ =1821-1902>, "n eminent 6erm"n st"tesm"n "nd !"to'o)ist,
$"s " youn)er (ontem!or"ry "nd (om!etitor o# E"r' Bo%it"ns%y =1804-1878>. ,n'i%e
Bo%it"ns%y, e )re$ u! $it te mi(ros(o!e, "nd $"s most in#'uenti"' in te system"ti(
"!!'i("tion o# mi(ros(o!y to study dise"se. Cir(o$ "d&"n(ed te do(trine $i( e'd
t"t (e''u'"r !"to'o)y $"s te b"sis o# dise"se, #in"''y '"yin) to rest te umour"' teory
o# *i!!o(r"tes "nd 6"'en. In m"ny $"ys, Cir(o$ (ou'd be (onsidered te #irst
mo'e(u'"r bio'o)ist. ,nder Cir(o$, Ber'in re!'"(ed Cienn" "s te !remier (enter o#
medi("' edu("tion.
In 1910, Abr""m 5'e2ner re!orted te sorry st"te o# medi("' edu("tion in te ,.
S. "t t"t time. -e C"bot re!ort issued #rom te +"ss"(usetts 6ener"' *os!it"' in 1920,
b"sed on "!!ro2im"te'y 3000 "uto!sies !er#ormed, re&e"'ed "stonisin) di")nosti(
in"((ur"(ies on te !"rt o# ('ini(i"ns. Besu'tin) medi("' re#orms in('uded te !'"(ement
o# "uto!sy !"to'o)y "s " (entr"', inte)r"' (om!onent o# medi("' edu("tion.
2
$uto)sies Provide Legal Evidence
2
&elissa *onrad +t,ppler- &%.- http://www.medicinenet.com/autopsy/article.htm#1whatis
5
-ey s"y de"d men te'' no t"'es, but "uto!sy o# " de"d m"n3s body re&e"'s se(rets
"nd truts t"t $ere ne&er to'd.
Auto!sies "re usu"''y tou)t "s re'"ted to omi(ide ("ses, but tere "re oter
$"ys in $i( "uto!sies ("n !ro&ide e&iden(e #or 'e)"' "(tion. 5or e2"m!'e, i# "n "uto!sy
determines " de"t to be te resu't o# " $or% or en&ironment"' "0"rd, it m"y 'e"d to
(om!ens"tion #or #"mi'y. I# "n "uto!sy re&e"'s e&iden(e o# medi("' m"'!r"(ti(e, it m"y
be te )rounds #or " '"$suit.
3
O*+ective
-e ob?e(ti&e o# (ondu(tin) "n "uto!sy is te in&esti)"tion o# sudden, sus!i(ious,
obs(ure, unn"tur"', 'iti)ious or (rimin"' de"ts. -e !"rti(u'"r ob?e(ti&es o# #orensi(
"uto!sy "re te #o''o$in):
-o identi#y te body "nd to "ssess te si0e, !ysi4ue "nd nourisment.
-o determine te ("use o# de"t.
-o determine te m"nner o# de"t =sui(ide, omi(ide or "((ident> "nd te time o#
de"t, $ere ne(ess"ry "nd !ossib'e
-o demonstr"te "'' e2tern"' "nd intern"' "bnorm"'ities, m"'#orm"tions "nd
dise"ses.
-o dete(t, des(ribe "nd me"sure in?uries.
-o obt"in s"m!'es =b'ood, urine "nd tissues> #or mi(robio'o)i("', isto'o)i("' "nd
to2i(o'o)i("' "n"'ysis.
-o ret"in re'e&"nt or)"ns "nd tissues "s e&iden(e.
-o obt"in !oto)r"!s "nd &ideo #i'ms #or e&identi"' "nd te"(in) use .
Be(o&erin), identi#yin), !reser&in) e&identi"ry m"teri"'
:ro&ide inter!ret"tion "nd (orre'"tion o# #"(ts re'"ted to de"t
:ro&ide #"(tu"', ob?e(ti&e medi("' re!ort
$uto)sies vs. Post,mortem E-amination
3
Pedro P. +olis- Ll.).- &.%.- Legal Medicine ./.P. #arcia Publis"ing *o.- 01234- p056-055
6
In (rime "nd 'e)"' dr"m"s on te'e&ision so$ medi("' e2"miners "re seen bot "t
te (rime s(ene "nd "t te mor)ue. A distin(tion must be m"de bet$een "uto!sies "nd
!ost-mortem e2"min"tion.
Post,mortem E-amination - re#ers to "n e2tern"' e2"min"tion o# " de"d body
$itout in(ision bein) m"de, "'tou) b'ood "nd oter body #'uids m"y be (o''e(ted #or
e2"min"tion.
$uto)sy - indi("tes t"t, in "ddition to "n e2tern"' e2"min"tion, te body is
o!ened "nd "n intern"' e2"min"tion is (ondu(ted.
4
%inds of $uto)sies.
Auto!sies "re distin)uised by its !ur!ose, 'e)"' im!'i("tions "nd $o determines i#
it is to be (ondu(ted.
$. (os)ital or /on,Official $uto)sy.
-is is "n "uto!sy done on " um"n body $it te (onsent o# te de(e"sed
!erson8s re'"ti&es #or te !ur!ose o#: 1> determinin) te ("use o# de"t9 2> !ro&idin)
(orre'"tion o# ('ini("' di")nosis "nd ('ini("' sym!toms9 3> determinin) te e##e(ti&eness
o# ter"!y9 4> studyin) te n"tur"' (ourse o# dise"se !ro(ess9 @> edu("tin) students "nd
!ysi(i"ns.
@
In"smu(, "s !re&ious (onsent o# te ne2t %in is ne(ess"ry be#ore " non-o##i(i"'
"uto!sy ("n be !er#ormed, te Ci&i' Code st"tes $o is te ri)t#u' !erson to )i&e su(
4
*urran- &c#arry and Petty- Modern Legal Medicine Psychiatry and Forensic Science, p.70
5
8is"er and Petty- Forensic Pathology, A and!oo" #or Pathologists- p.0
7
(onsent. -e order is !ro&ided in Arti('es 294-30@.
-e (onsent s"'' be obt"ined #rom: 1> te s!ouse9 2> te des(end"nts o# te
ne"rest de)ree9 3> te "s(end"nts, "'so o# te ne"rest de)ree9 4> te broters "nd sisters
=Art. 294, Ci&i' Code>
In ("se o# des(end"nts o# te s"me de)ree, or o# broters "nd sisters, te o'dest
s"'' be !re#erred. In ("se o# "s(end"nts, te !"tern"' s"'' "&e " better ri)t =Art. 30@,
Ci&i' Code>.
6
B. Medico,Legal or Official $uto)sy.
-is is "n e2"min"tion !er#ormed on " de"d body #or te !ur!oses o#: 1>
determinin) te ("use, m"nner =mode>, "nd time o# de"t9 2> re(o&erin), identi#yin), "nd
!reser&in) e&identi"ry m"teri"'9 3> !ro&idin) inter!ret"tion "nd (orre'"tion o# #"(ts "nd
(ir(umst"n(es re'"ted to de"t9 4> !ro&idin) " #"(tu"', ob?e(ti&e medi("' re!ort #or '"$
en#or(ement, !rose(ution, "nd de#ense ")en(ies9 "nd @> se!"r"tin) de"t due to dise"se
#rom de"t due to e2tern"' ("use #or !rote(tion o# te inno(ent.
In ("ses $i( re4uire " medi(o-'e)"' "uto!sy, te de"d body be'on)s to te st"te
#or te !rote(tion o# !ub'i( interest unti' su( time "s " (om!'ete "nd torou)
in&esti)"tion into te (ir(umst"n(es surroundin) te de"t "nd te ("use tereo# "s been
(om!'eted. -e !ysi(i"n ent"s%ed to !er#orm su( "uto!sy is (onsidered to be te
"utorit"ti&e ")ent "nd re!resent"ti&e o# te st"te $o "s te 7!ro!erty ri)t7 o# te de"d
body.
7
A'' t"t need to be turned o&er to te ne2t o# %in res!onsib'e #or buri"' o# te
de(e"sed is t"t rem"inin) !ortion or !ortions o# te body not needed #or "ny medi(o'e)"'
6
Pedro P. +olis- Ll.).- &.%.- Legal Medicine ./.P. #arcia Publis"ing *o.- 01234- p056-055
7
8is"er and Petty- Forensic Pathology, A and!oo" #or Pathologists - 9uly 0133- p. 0
8
!ur!oses.
8
I# te !erson $o issues " de"t (erti#i("te "s "ny re"son to sus!e(t or i# e s"''
obser&e "ny indi("tion o# &io'en(e or (rime, e s"'' "t on(e noti#y te +uni(i!"' -ri"'
Fud)e, i# e be "&"i'"b'e, or te muni(i!"' m"yor, $o s"'' t"%e !ro!er ste!s to "s(ert"in
te (ir(umst"n(es "nd ("use o# de"t9 "nd te (or!se o# su( de(e"sed !erson s"'' not be
buried or interred unti' !ermission is obt"ined #rom te !ro&in(i"' #is("', i# e be
"&"i'"b'e, "nd i# e be not "&"i'"b'e, #rom te m"yor o# te muni(i!"'ity in $i( te
de"t o((urred.
9
It is "'so $ort mentionin) t$o more ty!es o# "uto!sies 1 $natomical or
$cademic $uto)sy !er#ormed by students o# "n"tomy #or study !ur!ose on'y "nd
irtual or Medical !maging $uto)sies !er#ormed uti'i0in) im")in) te(no'o)y on'y,
!rim"ri'y m")neti( reson"n(e im")in) =+BI> "nd (om!uted tomo)r"!y =C->.

0hen shall $uto)sy *e Performed
Autor :edro :. So'is, ;'.B., +.<., enumer"tes te #o''o$in) m"nner o# de"t
t"t sou'd be "uto!sied:
". <e"t by &io'en(e
b. A((ident"' de"t
(. Sui(ides
d. Sudden de"t o# !ersons $o "re "!!"rent'y in )ood e"'t
e. <e"t un"ttended by !ysi(i"n
#. <e"t in os!it"'s or ('ini(s =<.G.A.> $erein " !ysi(i"n $"s not "b'e to
"rri&e "t " ('ini("' di")nosis "s te ("use o# de"t
). <e"t o((urrin) in "n unn"tur"' m"nner.
:BASI<A/-IA; <ACBAA /o. 8@6 o# <e(ember 23, 197@ or te CG<A G/
8
:edesc"i- Ec'ert and :edesc"i- Forensic Medicine- ;ol. II- p.13<
9
Pedro P. +olis- Ll.).- &.%.- Legal Medicine ./.P. #arcia Publis"ing *o.- 01234- p056-055
9
SA/I-A-IG/ is m"%es it ('e"r "s to $en s"'' "n "uto!sy be !er#ormed. -e '"$ st"tes
t"t "uto!sies s"'' be !er#ormed in te #o''o$in) ("ses:
1. Dene&er re4uired by s!e(i"' '"$s9
2. ,!on orders o# " (om!etent (ourt, " m"yor "nd " !ro&in(i"' or (ity #is("'9
3. ,!on $ritten re4uest o# !o'i(e "utorities9
4. Dene&er te So'i(itor 6ener"', !ro&in(i"' or (ity #is("' "s "utori0ed by e2istin)
'"$s, s"'' deem it ne(ess"ry to disinter "nd t"%e !ossession o# rem"ins #or
e2"min"tion to determine te ("use o# de"t9 "nd
@. Dene&er te ne"rest %in s"'' re4uest in $ritin) te "utorities (on(erned to
"s(ert"in te ("use o# de"t.
-e s"me st"tute st"tes t"t "uto!sies m"y be !er#ormed on !"tients $o die in
"((redited os!it"'s sub?e(t to te #o''o$in) re4uirements:
1. -e <ire(tor o# te os!it"' s"'' noti#y te ne2t o# %in o# te de"t o# te
de(e"sed "nd re4uest !ermission to !er#orm "n "uto!sy.
2. Auto!sy ("n be !er#ormed $en te !ermission is )r"nted or no ob?e(tion is
r"ised to su( "uto!sy $itin 48 ours "#ter de"t.
3. In ("ses $ere te de(e"sed "s no ne2t o# %in, te !ermission s"'' be se(ured
#rom te 'o("' e"'t "utority.
4. Buri"' o# rem"ins "#ter "n "uto!sy, te rem"ins s"'' be interred in "((ord"n(e
$it te !ro&isions in tis C"!ter.
Guidelines in the Performance of $uto)sies
-e #o''o$in) )uide'ines "re "'so set #or te !ro!er (ondu(t o# e2"min"tion o#
te body te de"d !erson sub?e(t o# te "uto!sy.
1. Be it "n o##i(i"' =medi(o-'e)"'> or non-o##i(i"' "uto!sy, te !"to'o)ist must be
!ro!er'y )uided by te !ur!oses #or $i( "uto!sy is to be !er#ormed. In so doin)
te !ur!ose o# su( disse(tion $i'' be ser&ed.
2. -e "uto!sy must be (om!reensi&e "nd must not 'e"&e some !"rts o# te body
10
une2"mined. A&en i# te #indin)s "re "'re"dy su##i(ient to "((ount #or te de"t,
tese sou'd not be " su##i(ient re"son #or te !rem"ture termin"tion o# te
"uto!sy.
3. Bodies $i( "re se&ere'y muti'"ted, de(om!osin) or d"m")ed by #ire "re sti''
suit"b'e #or "uto!sy. /o m"tter o$ !utrid or #r")ment"ry te rem"ins "re, ("re#u'
e2"min"tion m"y be !rodu(ti&e o# in#orm"tion t"t be"rs te identity "nd oter
!ysi("' tr"um" re(ei&ed
4. A'' "uto!sies must be !er#ormed in " m"nner $i( so$s res!e(t o# te de"d
body. ,nne(ess"ry disse(tion must be "&oided.
@. :ro!er identity o# te de(e"sed "uto!sied must be est"b'ised in non-o##i(i"'
"uto!sy. An "uto!sy on " $ron) body m"y be " )round #or d"m")es.
6. A de"d body must not be emb"'med be#ore te "uto!sy. -e emb"'min) #'uid m"y
render te tissue "nd b'ood un#it #or to2i(o'o)i("' "n"'yses. -e emb"'min) m"y
"'ter te )ross "!!e"r"n(e o# te tissues or m"y resu't to " $ide &"riety o# "rti#"(ts
t"t tend to destroy or obs(ure e&iden(e.
7. -e body must be "uto!sied in te s"me (ondition $en #ound "t te (rime s(ene.
A de'"y in its !er#orm"n(e m"y #"i' or modi#y te !ossib'e #indin)s tereby not
ser&in) te best interest o# ?usti(e.
10
$uthori1ed Persons to Perform $uto)sies and Dissections
-e #o''o$in) "re !ersons "utori0ed by '"$ to !er#orm e2"min"tion o# " de"d
!ersons3 body:
a. (ealth Officers
1> <istri(t *e"'t G##i(er
2> ;o("' *e"'t G##i(er
*. Medical Officers of La2 Enforcement $gencies
10
Pedro P. +olis- Ll.).- &.%.- Legal Medicine ./.P. #arcia Publis"ing *o.- 01234- p. 052
11
1> +edi("' A2"miner o# te City o# +"ni'"
2> +edi("' St"## o# te /"tion"' Bure"u o# In&esti)"tion H (om!osed o# tose
"ssi)ned in te Centr"' G##i(e in +"ni'" under te +edi(o-;e)"' se(tion "nd
tose "ssi)ned in te re)ion"' o##i(es o# te Bure"u in "((ord"n(e $it te
"dministr"ti&e !'"nti''" im!'ementin) Be!. A(t. 1@7
3> +edi(o-;e)"' G##i(ers o# te :i'i!!ine Const"bu'"ry "ssi)ned in te
:i'i!!ine Const"bu'"ry Crime ;"bor"tory =:CC;> "nd tose "ssi)ned in
di##erent re)ion"' (omm"nds
c. Mem*ers of the Medical #taff of $ccredited (os)itals
Antonio Bebos", ;'.B., +.< mentions s!e(i#i("''y te #o''o$in) !ersons "''o$ed by '"$
to !er#orm o##i(i"' "uto!sy: ="> +edi(o- 'e)"' o# te :/:9 =b> +edi(o H'e)"' o# te /BI9
=(> +uni(i!"'I *e"'t G##i(ers $o "re (onsidered e2-o##i(io medi("' o##i(ers "nd =e>
-ose "utori0ed by "n ordin"n(e or trou) re4uest #rom te (ie# o# !o'i(e, m"yor, or
!rose(utor.
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Mista&es in $uto)sies
+ist"%es in "uto!sies 'e"&e #"mi'y $it more 4uestions "bout te de"t o# teir
de!"rted 'o&ed ones. -e #o''o$in) "re ('"ssi#i("tions o# mist"%es in "uto!sy t"t o!ens "
!robe on te (ondu(t o# medi("' e2"miners in te !er#orm"n(e o# teir duties:
1. Arror or omission in te (o''e(tion o# e&iden(e #or identi#i("tion
2. Arrors or omission in te (o''e(tion o# e&iden(e re4uired #or est"b'isin) te time
o# de"t
3. Arrors or omission in te (o''e(tion o# e&iden(e re4uired #or oter medi(o-'e)"'
e2"min"tion
4. Arrors or omission resu't in te !rodu(tion o# undesir"b'e "rti#"(ts or in te
destru(tion o# &"'id e&iden(e
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Antonio /ebosa- Ll.).- &.%.- Legal Medicine- .<=004
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/egative $uto)sies
*o$e&er, tere "re ("ses t"t "'tou) e&ery )uide'ine $"s #o''o$ed yie'ds to no
('e"r resu'ts t"t $ou'd re&e"' te ("use o# de"t o# te !erson sub?e(ted to "uto!sy.

An "uto!sy is ("''ed " ne)"ti&e "uto!sy i# "#ter "'' e##orts, in('udin) )ross "nd
mi(ros(o!i( studies "nd to2i(o'o)i("' "n"'yses, #"i' to re&e"' " ("use o# de"t. It is "n
"uto!sy $i( "#ter " meti(u'ous e2"min"tion $it te "id o# oter e2"min"tions does not
yie'd "ny de#inite ("use o# de"t.
-ere "re re!orts t"t "!!ro2im"te'y 2-10J o# te tot"' "uto!sy ("ses in medi(o-
'e)"' (enters yie'd " ne)"ti&e resu't "'tou) teoreti("''y tere must be " ("use o# de"t.
-is sou'd be distin)uised #rom /egligent $uto)sy $erein no ("use o# de"t
is #ound on "((ount o# im!ruden(e, ne)'i)en(e, '"(% o# s%i'' or '"(% o# #oresi)t o# te
e2"miner.
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Benefits of $uto)sies
<e"'in) $it de"t is "'$"ys " ("''en)e "nd mu( more so in ("ses $ere tere
seems to be no ('e"r indi("tion "s to its ("use. Auto!sy, !ro&ides bene#its to tose 'e#t
beind oter t"n "n "id to te in&esti)"tion to someone3s de"t.
5or #"mi'ies, te "uto!sy "s bot t"n)ib'e "nd !sy(o'o)i("' bene#its.
,n(ert"inty re)"rdin) te ("use o# "n indi&idu"'8s de"t ("n de'"y !"yment o# insur"n(e
bene#its. -e "uto!sy ("n "'so un(o&er )eneti( or en&ironment"' =#or e2"m!'e,
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Pedro P. +olis- Ll.).- &.%.- Legal Medicine ./.P. #arcia Publis"ing *o.- 01234- pp. 032-02=
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" b"(terium or #un)us> ("uses o# dise"se t"t (ou'd "##e(t oter #"mi'y members.
:sy(o'o)i("''y, te "uto!sy !ro&ides ('osure by identi#yin) or (on#irmin) te ("use o#
de"t. -e "uto!sy ("n demonstr"te to te #"mi'y t"t te ("re !ro&ided $"s "!!ro!ri"te,
tereby "''e&i"tin) )ui't "mon) #"mi'y members "nd o##erin) re"ssur"n(e re)"rdin) te
4u"'ity o# medi("' ("re. ;"st'y, te "uto!sy is " me("nism t"t en"b'es te #"mi'y to
!"rti(i!"te in medi("' edu("tion "nd rese"r(.
Ditout "uto!sy medi("' m"'!r"(ti(e m"y ne&er be re&e"'ed, o$e&er, it "'so
seds 'i)t to te 4u"'ity o# te st"nd"rd o# medi("' ("re )i&en by " os!it"' to " !"tient.
-e !ro(edure ("n (on#irm te "((ur"(y o# te ('ini("' di")noses "nd te "!!ro!ri"teness
o# medi("' ("re. -e "uto!sy #indin)s ("n be uti'i0ed to edu("te !ysi(i"ns, nurses,
residents, "nd students, tereby (ontributin) to "n im!ro&ed 4u"'ity o# ("re.
+"ny o# te bene#its o# te "uto!sy "re e2!erien(ed by so(iety "s " $o'e. -e "uto!sy
"ids in te e&"'u"tion o# ne$ di")nosti( tests, te "ssessment o# ne$ ter"!euti(
inter&entions =dru)s, de&i(es, sur)i("' te(ni4ues>, "nd te in&esti)"tion o# en&ironment"'
"nd o((u!"tion"' dise"ses. Auto!sy d"t" "re use#u' in est"b'isin) &"'id
mort"'ity st"tisti(s. <"t" deri&ed #rom de"t (erti#i("tes in te "bsen(e o# "uto!sy d"t"
"&e re!e"ted'y been so$n to be in"((ur"te. /e$ medi("' %no$'ed)e on e2istin)
dise"ses t"t is deri&ed #rom "uto!sy-b"sed rese"r( is ('e"r'y im!ort"nt #or e&eryone.
Bem"r%"b'y, ne$ dise"ses (ontinue to emer)e $i( ("n on'y be #u''y in&esti)"ted by
"uto!sy.
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Auto!sy "ids us in our )rie#, mournin) "nd in our (ontinued se"r( #or trut "nd
?usti(e. It te''s us te story o# "n un#ortun"te de"t, !ro&ides #or te (on&i(tion o# " )ui'ty
"((used or te re'e"se o# "n inno(ent. It )i&es us insi)t "s to te #in"' ours o# " m"n
be#ore e meets is +"%er. It )i&es " de"d m"n " &oi(e "nd " ("n(e to #ind rest in !e"(e.
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&elissa *onrad +t,ppler- &%.- http://www.medicinenet.com/autopsy/article.htm#1whatis
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