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16.1 What are the advantages of an invasive post-mortem in the diagnosis of cause of death or incidental pathologies?
Suggested answers
- Samples can be taken from various sites and the tissue examined microscopically using different histopathology techniques.
- Some pathology is difficult to diagnose by image alone.
- Undiagnosed pathology which may not have caused the death may provide beneficial information for clinicians and/or family members.
- Tissues can be retained, with the appropriate consent, for use in the future as new techniques and technologies develop.
16.2 What checks would you carry out as a minimum before commencing a post mortem examination?
Suggested answers
- Consent, authorisation or instruction is appropriate and complies with legislation.
- Identification is adequate and accurate
- What risks the post-mortem examination may present, for example, category 3 infection and its transmission route or presence of an electronic cardiac device.
16.3 Why is it important to have access to the clinical history and/or circumstances of death prior to commencing a post-mortem examination?
Suggested answers
- Clinical history will ensure that the post-mortem examination concentrates on particular questions around the cause of death.
- A risk assessment can be carried out prior to the examination which will dictate what PPE is required.
- Any specialist dissection required can be discussed and this may affect the way the organs are removed
- If necessary the death can be discussed with the appropriate legal authority if there are any concerns not previously highlighted.