An autopsy is a post-mortem examination that helps determine the cause of death or identify a deceased person.
While many are familiar with autopsies from movies or TV, they may not fully understand what occurs during the procedure. A viral video from an autopsy technician has recently shed more light on the process.
Before the autopsy starts, investigators collect extensive information about the deceased and the events leading up to their death.
This preliminary investigation involves reviewing medical records, consulting with doctors and family members, and analyzing the death scene and circumstances.
During the autopsy, the examiner removes the deceased's clothing to closely inspect the body for any signs of unusual scars, visible injuries, or other abnormalities.
X-rays are used to detect any abnormalities in the bones, while ultraviolet light can reveal residues such as marks invisible to the naked eye.
Additionally, samples of hair and nails are often collected during the process.
An autopsy usually takes anywhere from two to four hours to complete.
People Are Shocked To Learn That One Body Part Is Always Removed During Autopsies While television and movies often depict autopsies, the accuracy of these portrayals is questionable. Dr. Ed Uthman, a Texas pathologist who has authored a guide for screenwriters on autopsies, points out discrepancies.
According to Dr. Uthman in an interview with Live Science, a frequent error in media involves the incision made during the autopsy, which often does not reflect actual surgical practices.
"The most common error is making the trunk incision wrong," Uthman says.
"On women, the two arms of the Y are supposed to curve around under the breasts, but in films, they invariably show them straight and above the breasts."
"Also, in both sexes, they make the arms of the Y too short; they actually need to extend all the way up to each shoulder joint."
However, there's more intriguing information surfacing about autopsies – specifically, that a particular part of the body is consistently removed, a fact previously unknown to many.
Reacting to the news, one person jokes: "Just decided I won't be dying."
A second questions: "Is it possible to say that you do not want an autopsy? Like a legal form, instead of a DNR a DNA (do not autopsy)."
"Didn't need to know that part," comments a third person.Another quips: "Looks like I'm just gonna live forever."
People Are Shocked To Learn That One Body Part Is Always Removed During Autopsies Autopsy technician Gerald Ledford, known as @big_led73 on TikTok, has responded to queries from his followers regarding what happens to body piercings post-mortem.
He clarifies that while most piercings remain with the body, one specific piercing is always removed along with the part of the body it's attached to.
"The only one that I take out is your tongue ring," Ledford tells his followers.
"I remove your tongue during an autopsy – we need to make sure you didn't bite down on it, make sure you don't have drugs in the back of your throat."
"So if you have a tongue ring, that one comes out, but nipples, nose, ears, eyebrows, private parts [stay]."
In another video, Ledford answers a question about whether the 'entire tongue' or 'just the tip' needs to be removed during an autopsy.
"We take the whole tongue out, and your throat, and your aorta," he responds.
The aorta, as described by the Cleveland Clinic, is a cane-shaped vessel that transports oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
