Tab Article

Jaypee's Video Atlas of Medicolegal Autopsy is an audiovisual presentation of the techniques and methodology of conducting systematic examination of a dead body during autopsy. The primary aim of a medicolegal autopsy is to arrive at an opinion regarding the causes of death, the time of death and the details of identity of the deceased. Medicolegal autopsy also helps the investigating authority to corroborate with the findings of investigation and arrive at a definite manner of death. Medicolegal autopsy is conducted in all unnatural deaths after an inquest or preliminary enquiry conducted by the police or executive magistrate. The procedural formalities like the identification of a dead body, examination of dress materials, general examination, examination of postmortem changes, and examination of body cavities and visceral organs are shown in this Video Atlas. Dissection techniques of vital organs like the brain and the heart have been demonstrated separately. Special reference has been given for demonstration of pneumothorax, air embolism and pulmonary thromboembolism. Evisceration of structures of neck, chest and abdomen has been done together and individual organs separated and dissected as per the Letulle's method. In suspected cases of neck violence, neck structures have been dissected in layers after removal of brain and viscera for dissection of the neck in a bloodless field (modified Schrader's technique). For injuries to the spinal column, the Atlas demonstrates a posterior approach of dissection and exposure of spinal cord. Fetal autopsy includes the basic necessary dissection techniques, demonstration of floatation test for live birth and fetal brain removal. Medicolegal autopsy cases include video presentation of different diseases and injuries that resulted in death. Complete range of basic mechanical injuries has been shown for the students to have a basic knowledge regarding the appearance of injuries. The entire spectrum of traumatic brain injury has been videographed and explained. Special mention has been made about complication in central vein cannulation as it is a very common fatal event, often overlooked during busy casualty hours. Deaths due to firearm injuries, electrocution, flame burns, hypovolemia and hemorrhagic shock have been shown so that the students come to known more about the gross appearance and findings of internal organs. Asphyxial deaths ranging from hanging to strangulation have been highlighted for demonstrating the external and internal findings of various types of neck violence. The Atlas illustrates the autopsy findings of internal organs in deaths due to drowning. A few cases of death due to poisoning have been shown and most of them were brought dead to the casualty. Details of dead bodies brought to the casualty are also intimated to the police by the Casualty Medical Officers as a definite opinion regarding the cause of death cannot be furnished. The police officers conduct a preliminary enquiry and decide if a medicolegal autopsy is mandatory. Autopsy of many such dead bodies reveal natural disease as the cause of sudden death. Various natural diseases which resulted in sudden deaths have been highlighted in the Atlas to convey the fact that medicolegal autopsy may be mandatory even in death due to natural disease. The Atlas also incorporates various postmortem changes after death as every student should have a definite knowledge regarding the changes on human body after death which is useful in ascertaining the time of death.