Public scrutiny of forensic
pathology is frequently intensive, particularly where a 'miscarriage of
justice' is perceived, and the case is 'taken on by the media' as a
cause celebre. Dr Alan Moritz identified several 'mistakes' to avoid in forensic pathology, in his 'classic paper' of 1956;
- not being aware of the objective of the medicolegal autopsy
- performing an incomplete autopsy
- permitting the body to be embalmed before performing a medicolegal autopsy
- mistakes resulting from non-recognition or misinterpretation of postmortem changes
- failure to make an adequate examination and description of external abnormalities
- confusing the objective with the subjective sections of an autopsy protocol (report)
- not examining the body at the scene of the crime
- not making adequate photographs of the evidence
- not exercising good judgment in the taking or handling of specimens for toxicologic examination
- permitting the value of the protocol (report) to be jeopardised by minor errors
The recognition of these potential pitfalls are as valid today as they were 50 years ago, and should be learnt by all aspiring forensic practitioners!
