General Considerations and Safety

Preparation for the autopsy and consideration of the case, before entering the autopsy room or putting knife to skin, are key in getting the best results from the examination. This chapter commences with the components of an instruction to perform an autopsy. The relevant paperwork (usually legal and/or consent permissions) is discussed. The practical realities of completing an autopsy require a modern, well-lit, ventilated and dedicated room or facility for this examination; views of some facilities are shown. The appropriate clothing, personal protective equipment, standard tools and the workstation are presented. Additional tests are often required to realize the full potential of the autopsy. The role of specialist investigations (histology, toxicology, microbiology) is described, and macroscopic photography is also considered. Finally, the methods for recording the data derived are described.