The external examination: An often-neglected autopsy component

Abstract

The external examination is an important component of an autopsy, but is often poorly performed and documented. The pathologist has a central role in the external examination, which must be conducted in every case before the evisceration begins. The external examination provides an invaluable opportunity to halt the autopsy and call for expert assistance by detecting evidence that death may be due to trauma. Within the context of autopsies performed at the request of clinicians and autopsies performed on medico-legal authority where an unnatural cause of death is not initially suspected, this article explores the components of the external examination. Particular attention is paid to the examination of identifying features, a search of natural diseases and trauma that may have contributed to the cause of death, and evidence of medical interventions that were attempted to avert death.