1. =Identification of the Body.= In ordinary cases the name of the
deceased will be given upon the autopsy-permit, and this will serve
as sufficient identification. In large autopsy-services, when several
cadavers may be brought in at the same time, each one should be
properly tagged so that no mistake is possible. It is necessary in
medicolegal cases to make a more formal identification by having the
cadaver positively identified by persons having knowledge of the
individual during life, or by those who first saw the body, or who
took it in charge. In such cases when identification is impossible
at the time of autopsy the protocol should give in full details
the place, time, and conditions of discovery of the body, with an
accurate description of its external characteristics, clothing,
articles found on the body, surroundings, etc. Bertillon measurements
and finger-markings may be taken; dental work should be carefully
described; false teeth and hair, eyeglasses, etc., should be
preserved, and the most careful attention should be paid to bodily
anomalies or peculiarities, birth-marks, tattoo, etc. Photographs,
casts, Roentgengrams, etc., may be taken. Powder-marks, blood-stains,
as well as those of semen and other discharges, should be described
and, if necessary, preserved. Legal names, as well as aliases, should
be recorded and attested in all cases of legal significance. In fact,
the only proper way to conduct any autopsy is with the assumption
that the results will have legal value; and such an assumption is the
best safeguard against important omissions.
2. =Sex.= This should always be mentioned in the protocol. In the
case of pseudohermaphrodism the determination of the real sex may
be difficult and may eventually be decided by microscopic studies.
Likewise in bodies that have been burned or mutilated the question of
sex becomes a matter of anatomic and histologic study. The character
of the bones, pelvis, remains of sexual organs, etc., are used as
criteria to decide the question. In cases of burning, the uterus
in the female and the prostate in the male may often be recognized
microscopically when the head and extremities are burned off and only
a charred mass of flesh and bone remains.
3. =Age.= When the true age is not known the apparent age must
be estimated by considering the general appearance of the body,
development, bones, epiphyses, sutures, blood-vessels, skin, hair,
teeth, sexual organs, etc. Roentgengrams of the epiphyses, hands
and feet may be made. The presence of an arcus senilis should be
noted. Arteriosclerosis of the temporal and radial arteries may be
determined by inspection and palpation. The determination of the age
of the new-born will be considered in a later chapter.
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