MEDICO-LEGAL REPORTS.[568]
After making a medico-legal autopsy, it will be necessary for the medical examiner to draw up a report of his findings, and the conclusions based thereon. The report should be clear and concise, and the language such as a coroner’s jury can understand. Technical terms should be avoided, and when their employment is necessary they should be explained in the margin or in parentheses.
The report should be drawn up in somewhat the following manner:
1. When and under what circumstances the body was first seen; stating hour of day, day of week and month.
2. When deceased was last seen living, or known to be alive.
3. Any circumstances that would lead to a suspicion of suicide or murder.
4. Time after death at which the examination was made, if it can be ascertained.
5. The external appearance of the body: whether the surface is livid or pallid.
6. State of countenance.