READ: The Autopsy

Autopsy Tools

Autopsy tools have changed very little in the past 100 years. Below are some of the most commonly used tools of autopsy:

Bone Saw - Used to cut through bone or the skull.

Bread Knife - Used to slice small, thin sections of organs for microscopic examination.

Enterotome - Scissors used to cut open the intestines.

Hagedorn Needle - A thick, heavy needle used to stitch up the tissue flaps after examination.

Hammer With Hook- Used to remove the skull cap.

Rib Cutter - Shears used specifically to cut through ribs.

Scalpel - Tool for making incisions; the one used in autopsy has a large blade for making long, deep cuts.

Scissors - Standard surgical scissors are used for cutting open organs and vessels.

Skull Chisel- Assists in skull cap removal.

Stryker saw - Electric saw used to cut through the skull.

Toothed Forceps - Similar to large tweezers, these are used to lift large organs.

While the tools for standard autopsies have changed very little in the past 100 years, new technology has allowed for a new type of autopsy methodology known as "Virtual Autopsy". Virtual Autopsy uses imaging techniques such as CT Scans or MRI Scans to process the body's external appearance and inner structures. It allows for non-invasive, detailed images from inside the body without the need to cut the body open. While it is currently used in some situations to supplement standard autopsies, the technology is not yet developed enough or accessible enough for the majority of death investigations. The equipment is quite costly and many limited county and state budgets can't afford it. As the technology continues to improve and becomes more affordable, other uses for this technology are also coming to light. Doctors may some day use this technology to help diagnose issues without the need for exploratory surgeries as they sometimes must do currently. 

Georgia Virtual, Autopsy and the Role of the Medical Examiner, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0