Autopsy

Examination of human bodies for the determination of the reasons for death either in cases due to natural causes, accidental or intentional violence, or poisoning; believed to have been first performed ab. 300 B.C. in the Alexandrian school of medicine. To be of value it must be made shortly after death and prior to the use of embalming fluids, which may alter the appearances of the ti ues and often contain substances which are poisonous in themselves or may render difficult the detection of poisons entering the body before death.