Autopsy.
A postmortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease: "an autopsy report".(Perform a postmortem examination on a body or organ).
An autopsy report will give you the findings from the postmortem examination.
For the most part, yes, "autopsy" and "postmortem" are used interchangeably in American English. However, there is a linguistic difference. "Autopsy" is a postmortem examination of a human body, generally to determine the cause of death. "Postmortem" simply means "after death" and can be used in a variety of instances where human bodies are not being examined. For instance, a veterinarian can perform a postmortem exam on a dog or cat; this is generally referred to as a necropsy. Also, in the slaughter industry, the examination of carcasses after the animal is humanely killed, skinned and eviscerated is called the postmortem examination or postmortem disposition.
The first process to happen to the human body postmortem is cooling, where the body becomes the temperature of the surrounding environment. Then rigor mortis sets in, which is the tightening of the muscles making the body stiff. Then lividity occurs, which is the discoloring of the skin. Finally postmortem decomposition sets in and the body begins to decay.
The CPT code for a postmortem examination that includes gross examination of the brain and spinal cord is 88000. This code is used for autopsy services that involve the examination of the body without microscopic evaluation. If further detail is needed or if specific circumstances apply, it may be important to consult the most recent coding guidelines or a medical coding professional.
That bruise on the body was sustained postmortem, after the death.
Certain toxins and poisons may not be detectable in a postmortem examination due to their rapid metabolism or degradation in the body. For instance, carbon monoxide can quickly bind to hemoglobin and dissipate postmortem, making it challenging to detect. Additionally, substances like some heavy metals may not be present in detectable levels if they have been chelated or redistributed in the body before death. Furthermore, volatile substances, such as certain drugs, may evaporate after death and thus be absent from postmortem analyses.
A person who performs postmortem examinations is called a forensic pathologist or a medical examiner. They are trained to investigate the cause of death by examining the deceased's body and conducting autopsies.
This is called purge - postmortem evacuation of any substance from an external orficie of the body as a result of pressure.
Autopsy
A necropsy is a postmortem examination of an animal to determine the cause of death or to study disease processes. It involves a thorough examination of the body, including organs and tissues, to identify any abnormalities or pathologies. Necropsies are commonly performed by veterinary pathologists.
Changes that take place at a fairly predictable rate, depending on body temperature at the time of death, and environmental temperature once death has taken place. The size of the body and the presence or absence of bacterial infection will also influence these changes.