| Popis: |
This article introduces the topics of what pathology can offer to the medical community (academic, clinical, and research), the legal community, surviving family members, and the general public welfare by investigating the circumstances of death. The concept of death is defined as are the meanings of cause and manner of death and how we make those determinations. The autopsy is explained in detail: what it is, the primary reasons for doing it, what are its components, variations on how it is done, and the impacts it may have on academic/clinical practice or the criminal justice system. When autopsies are done in hospitals and when they are done in forensic settings are also discussed, as well as the advantages and inherent limitations of each. An illustrative example of one type of prosection is included. Additional reasons for postmortem pathology are discussed in terms of hospital cases, forensic cases, public health issues, and what might be done for the direct benefit of future generations. Some of the limitations of the autopsy and validity of the diagnoses are explored, especially in terms of postmortem artifacts. |
