Page 26 - Veritas - 02.03.22

clues or hints that could indicate signs of struggles before death. An

internal examination follows the external examination. The com-

monly employed technique for autopsy is Virchow’s technique. De-

pending on the initial case history we prioritise individual organ sys-

tems and go in an orderly fashion and appreciate changes seen in

individual organs. For specific cases, specific modifications are made

to this process. Lastly, we preserve organs/samples for histopatholog-

ical examinations and toxicological analysis. The selection of organs

and the choice of preservatives keep changing on a case-to-case ba-

sis. But, the most common organs preserved for toxicological anal-

ysis include, a portion of liver, portions from both the kidneys, 10ml

of blood, stomach and part of the intestine along with their respec-

tive contents, and urine. When it comes to histopathological analysis,

commonly preserved organs include the heart, lungs, and liver. Con-

sidering the Union territory of Puducherry, where I practice is a hub

for alcoholics, pancreas is also sent for histopathological evaluation.

We also ensure to write appropriate duly signed labels for these sam-

ples, pack them and send them to the concerned labs. After the entire

procedure is over, care is taken to pack the deceased body and give it

a proper aesthetic appearance for the relatives/attenders to perform

the appropriate send-off rituals.

3. What conditions, concerning the body, make it hard to conclude

an autopsy?

The physical form in which a body is retrieved from the site of crime

makes a huge impact on a successful autopsy. This physical form of

the body in turn narrows down to the time at which autopsy is per-

formed and the difference between the actual time of death. It is ex-

tremely difficult to conclude while performing autopsies on bodies

that are totally decomposed or charred. Equally challenging are cas-

es of sudden cardiac deaths in individuals with underlying multiple

comorbidities. Especially cases of vagal inhibition leading to sudden

cardiac deaths or unnoticed/undocumented ventricular/atrial fibril-

lations, metabolic poisoning with insulin/potassium can complicate

reaching a definitive conclusion during autopsies.