Hello everyone, Tara here for DNews. You might have heard about the Michael Brown case and the three autopsies conducted on his body. The first was done by the county medical examiner, the second by the family’s request, and the third by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Having three autopsies on one body is quite rare. So, why were they needed? Can more autopsies reveal new information? Sometimes, yes. In high-profile cases like this, multiple autopsies might be justified. However, if the first autopsy is done correctly, additional ones are usually unnecessary. In fact, each new autopsy can increase the risk of misinterpreting findings, especially if the body has been altered.
Most of what we know about autopsies comes from TV shows, which often don’t portray the process accurately. So, what really happens during an autopsy?
Autopsies are carried out by forensic pathologists and involve two main steps: the external and internal examinations.
External Examination: The pathologist examines the outside of the body for signs of injury, disease, or anything unusual. Items found on the body, like clothing or biological material, are sent to a lab for analysis, and everything is documented with photos.
Internal Examination: This involves making incisions to examine the body’s organs. Typically, the organs in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis are checked. If other areas might be involved in the cause of death, they are also inspected. The goal is to assess the organs both in place and after removal.
Once removed, the organs are weighed, which can indicate certain diseases. Some illnesses cause organs to swell or shrink, helping pathologists understand the nature and progression of diseases. After weighing, the organs are dissected to look for abnormalities, and samples might be preserved for further microscopic examination. In some cases, entire organs like the brain or heart may be preserved for later analysis, though this is rare.
Samples of blood, urine, and other fluids are collected and sent to a toxicology lab to check for drugs, alcohol, or toxins. These samples are usually kept for a year before being destroyed, while organs are retained for five years before cremation. Any remaining materials are returned to the body, which is then sent back to the funeral home. The family receives an official autopsy report and a death certificate.
Despite the sensitive nature of this process, forensic pathologists must be meticulous. They make incisions in a way that allows for an open-casket funeral if the family wishes.
In the Michael Brown case, three autopsies were performed, but the pattern of bullet wounds made it hard to draw clear conclusions. Unfortunately, the first two autopsies might have compromised the evidence needed to answer unresolved questions.
I know this is a lot of information and a sensitive topic. Given the attention this case has received, I wanted to clarify what these procedures involve.
We chose not to show any actual autopsy footage in this episode for obvious reasons, but if you’re interested, there are videos online—just be aware they can be graphic.
If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to leave them in the comments. Thank you for watching!
Research the detailed steps involved in conducting an autopsy, focusing on both the external and internal examinations. Create a presentation that compares these steps to how autopsies are depicted in popular media. Highlight any inaccuracies or dramatizations you find. Present your findings to the class.
Examine a real-life case where multiple autopsies were conducted, such as the Michael Brown case. Analyze the reasons for conducting multiple autopsies and discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks. Write a report summarizing your analysis and present your conclusions to your peers.
In groups, role-play as forensic pathologists conducting an autopsy. Assign roles such as lead pathologist, assistant, and lab technician. Use a fictional case and follow the steps of an autopsy, documenting findings and discussing potential causes of death. Present your findings to the class, simulating a real autopsy report.
Participate in a debate on how media representations of autopsies influence public perception. One side will argue that media depictions are beneficial for public understanding, while the other will argue they lead to misconceptions. Prepare arguments and counterarguments, and engage in a structured debate with your classmates.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a forensic pathologist. Describe a typical day, including the challenges and responsibilities they face. Incorporate accurate details about the autopsy process and reflect on the emotional and ethical aspects of the job. Share your story with the class.
**Autopsies: Are They Accurately Depicted in Media?**
Hello everyone, Tara here for DNews. If you’ve been following the news surrounding the Michael Brown case, you may have heard about the multiple autopsies that have been requested—three so far. The first was conducted by the county medical examiner’s office, the second was requested by the family, and the third was performed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Three autopsies on a single body is quite unusual, so why are they necessary? Can additional autopsies really provide new information? Sometimes, yes. Given the high-profile nature of this case, multiple autopsies may be warranted. However, as long as the first autopsy was performed correctly, there’s typically no need for a second or third. In fact, with each subsequent autopsy, the potential for misinterpretation of findings increases, especially as the body may be compromised.
Most of what we know about autopsies comes from television, which often does not accurately represent the process. So, what does a thorough autopsy entail?
Autopsies are performed by forensic pathologists and generally consist of two main procedures: the external examination and the internal examination.
During the external examination, the pathologist inspects the outside of the body for evidence of injury, disease, or anything unusual. Relevant items found on the body, such as clothing or biological material, are sent to a lab for analysis, and everything is documented with photographs.
The internal examination involves making incisions to access the body’s organs. Typically, the organs in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis are examined. If other areas are suspected to be involved in the cause of death, those may also be inspected. The purpose is to assess the organs both in situ and after removal.
Once the organs are removed, they are weighed, which can indicate the presence of certain diseases. For instance, some illnesses may cause organs to swell or shrink, allowing pathologists to determine the nature and progression of any diseases. After weighing, the organs are dissected to look for abnormalities, and samples may be preserved for further examination under a microscope if necessary. In some cases, entire organs, such as the brain or heart, may be preserved for later analysis, although this is rare.
Samples of blood, urine, and other fluids are also collected and sent to a toxicology lab to check for drugs, alcohol, or toxins. Typically, these samples are retained for a year before being destroyed, while organs are kept for five years before cremation. Any remaining materials are returned to the body, which is then sent back to the funeral home. The family receives an official autopsy report and a certificate of death.
Despite the sensitive nature of this process, forensic pathologists must be meticulous in their work. They are required to make incisions in a way that allows for an open-casket funeral if the family desires.
Returning to the Michael Brown case, while three autopsies have been performed, the generic pattern of bullet wounds has made it challenging to draw definitive conclusions. Unfortunately, the damage from the first two autopsies may compromise the evidence needed to resolve outstanding questions.
I understand this is a lot of information, and it’s a very sensitive topic. Given the publicity surrounding this case, I thought it was important to clarify what these procedures involve.
We chose not to include any actual footage of an autopsy in this episode for obvious reasons, but if you’re interested, there are videos available online—just be aware that they can be quite graphic.
If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to leave them in the comments. Thank you for watching!
Autopsy – A post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease. – The pathologist conducted an autopsy to determine whether the disease had spread to other organs.
Examination – A detailed inspection or study, especially for scientific purposes. – The examination of the tissue samples revealed the presence of cancerous cells.
Organs – Structures composed of different tissues that perform specific functions in a living organism. – The human body contains vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver, each with distinct roles.
Forensic – Relating to the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime. – Forensic scientists used DNA analysis to identify the suspect in the criminal investigation.
Pathologist – A medical professional who studies the causes and effects of diseases, especially one who examines laboratory samples of body tissue for diagnostic purposes. – The pathologist reviewed the biopsy to diagnose the patient’s condition accurately.
Toxicology – The branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons. – Toxicology reports indicated that the substance found in the victim’s bloodstream was lethal.
Disease – A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or affects a specific location. – Researchers are working tirelessly to find a cure for the disease that has affected millions worldwide.
Analysis – The detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation. – The analysis of the experimental data provided insights into the chemical reaction’s mechanism.
Samples – Small parts or quantities intended to show what the whole is like, often used for scientific testing or analysis. – The laboratory received samples of the new drug to test its efficacy and safety.
Injuries – Physical harm or damage to a person’s body caused by an accident or an attack. – The forensic team documented the injuries to determine the sequence of events leading to the victim’s death.
