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Procedures following death There are a variety of protocols that ensue following death, prominent among them the verification of mortality and conducting an autopsy. The medical profession, as much as it seeks to avert death, must still deal with it, and has the responsibility for taking care of the post-mortem work on bodies as well. Verification of death There are a variety of tests and definitions of death, and these have evolved over time. The goal, of course, is to make sure that nobody is buried alive - a very rare occurrence, especially now. The tests begin with basic signs of death that result from the cessation of functioning. The temperature drops; the blood stops circulating and forms blue patches; muscles contract and rigor mortis set in after a few hours, making the body stiff, though it later becomes limp again. Previously, tests consisted of placing a feather or mirror at the lips to check for breath and a finger or ear used to check for pulse. Now, people are checked for response to pain, light, inability to breathe without a machine, lack of muscle movement, lack of reflexes, no involuntary actions such as blinking or swallowing occur, and lack of brain waves as detected by machine. Autopsy Apparently, autopsies are being performed with decreasing frequently. Where earlier in the century as many as half of all bodies had autopsies performed, now only 5-10 percent of corpses undergo the procedure. Often, this is only in cases where foul play is suspected. The number of pathologists who do autopsies and insurance coverage for the service have also declined. What exactly is involved in an autopsy? To determine the cause of death, it is necessary to examine virtually every part of the body, not only superficially but also through various tests on tissue in labs. It all starts with a Y-shaped incision. Then body parts exposed, weighed, examined, and with portions removed for later study. The body is then put back together for burial.  back to this is the end back to top |