The Forensic Autopsy

Forensic pathology is the application of the law to autopsy practice and preparation for court begins as soon as the forensic pathologist is engaged in the investigation of a death. This chapter explores some of the methods employed by the forensic pathologist to elicit subtle but important features of a case, particularly some of the more invasive specialist dissections. Common non-natural causes of death are discussed alongside which features should be detailed for each case. Common aspects of head injury, pressure to the neck, gunshot wounds, sharp force injury, blunt force injury, road traffic collisions, drowning, hypothermia, fire deaths and post-mortem changes are examined.