Examination of the Dead.
Do not order the removal of a dead body; leave that duty to the police or to the Coroner’s officer.
Forbid, however, any disturbance of a body to which you are called until you have seen it and the circumstances.
1. Where the Coroner orders “evidence touching the external appearance of the body, and the cause of the death”:
The body should be identified in your presence; if it cannot be identified, special care must be taken with the inspection. A photograph should be taken at once.
The appearance of the corpse, both when clothed and when stripped, must be noted.
In all cases the probable time of the death must be estimated.
The presence and nature of parasites must be recorded.
Should the cause of death still remain obscure after a complete inspection, the Coroner should be informed of the fact and requested to order an anatomical post-mortem examination of the body.
2. Where the Coroner orders a full post-mortem examination, thus:
“You are required to make or assist in making a post-mortem examination of the body, which shall comprise an examination of the viscera of the head, chest, and abdomen, and, if necessary, an analysis of the contents of the stomach, and report thereon at the said inquest.” As to the analysis, see the Home Office Circular (Jan. 7, 1903).
The body must not be opened until the Coroner’s order has been received; apart from inquests the consent of relatives must be secured before a body is dissected.
Wherever manslaughter or murder is suspected, the Coroner will order a necropsy as a matter of course.
If the deceased’s friends charge you with negligence in treatment, you must not conduct the examination.
Do not commence until the body is cold; do not delay until marked putrefaction has set in.
Have all necessary appliances at hand; having once started do not leave the room until your final note has been made and signed.
Do not employ a hammer or a chisel.
Remember that it is dangerous to attend lying-in women after making an autopsy.
If the mortuary attendant does the manual work you must watch each step.
If portions of organs are retained for subsequent examination, have the fact witnessed.