The importance of forensic cytology lies in the microscopic detection of particular cells.
For example, cytology is used to detect or rule out the presence of intact sperm, or at least sperm heads, following sexual offenses..
The major roles of histology in forensic practice are as follows: As a primary ancillary investigation in cases where macroscopic examinations fail to yield a specific or diagnostic pathology that accounts for death.
To confirm and refine macroscopic diagnoses including incidental pathologies identified at autopsy..
The pathologist examines the outside of the body and opens the body and examines the organs.
They will usually take tissue samples and more rarely may remove organs for detailed examination to establish the cause of death.
In most cases they put the organs back, but may occasionally need to keep them for more tests..
AIM--To demonstrate the role of cytopathology in examining tumours found at post mortem examination
METHODS--Tumour deposits were found in 25 hospital necropsies
Cytological diagnosis made at the time of necropsy was compared with subsequent paraffin wax embedded histological sections
Post-mortem imaging is a niche area of radiology which is growing in significance, not only in the forensic environment, but also at a hospital level and for paediatrics
This working group will be tasked with developing a standards framework to support radiologists practicing in this field now and into the future and will report into the PPC
Pathologists serve both dead and living patients
The post mortem, or autopsy, is similar to a surgical procedure, but it is performed on a patient who has died
The pathologist examines the internal organs and takes tissue samples for further examination
