List of instruments used in forensics

Instruments used in Forensics, including autopsy dissections are as follows: [1]

Instrument list

InstrumentUses
Autopsy tableCorpses undergoing autopsy are placed here.
CO2for preservation of the corpse
Dissection scissorsDissection scissors are used in autopsy to cut open body tissues.
Arterial & jugular tubesto draw or drain out all the blood

before replacing it with embalming fluids like formaldehyde for preservation of structures as practiced in Anatomy

Head restTo elevate the head
Restraintto hold the corpse in place so that it does not change

position during dissection

Rubber glovesDisposable gloves are used to prevent contamination of evidence and to keep the wearer safe.
GogglesGoggles are worn to protect foreign objects from getting in the eyes.
Jackets, aprons, etc.to protect against infection
Autopsy sawsto cut tough structures like bones
BladesBlades are used during autopsy to cut bodily tissues.
Towel clampsto hold towels in place
Skull breaker or often a (hammer and chisel)To break the skull.
Bone sawA bone saw is used for cutting bones.
Sternal sawfor cutting into the chest of the body by cutting

the sternum

Toothed forcepsfor tearing or holding structures
Malletused as a hammer
Autopsy hammerused just as a hammer
Skull keya T-shaped chisel used as a lever while removing skull

cap[2]

Brain knifeto cleanly cut the brain
Rib shearsto cut through the ribs while opening the

chest[3]

Dissecting scissorsfor sharp cutting
Speculumfor vaginal and rectal examinations
Non-absorbable sutures

usually nylon to close the body cavities and sutures it

Postmortem needleslarge thick needles for suturing the skin after

an autopsy to return the body to a natural looking state to prepare it for burial

Medical syringesfor fluid aspiration
Foley catheterfor evacuation or irrigation of the bladder to

collect a urine sample

Nasogastric tubefor nasogastric aspiration of stomach

contents; usually it is not used

Water bathfor flotation tests to detect presence of

gas, specially for infants (lungs, intestine) as a sign of postpartum life

Specimen jars/envelopes/packetspreservation of material evidence
Swabscollecting smears
Metacarpal sawvideo: External link; a bone saw
Double-ended probeused for probing
Tongue tieto tie away the tongue so

that it doesn't fall back into the pharynx

Formaldehydeprimary preservative for Anatomy; video link
saturated Common salt solution / Rectified spiritprimary

preservative for Autopsy; video link

Osteometric boardto measure the length of (usually dried) bones
X-ray boxesto view X-ray images
Microscopes Used to examine evidence
Fingerprint setto collect fingerprints; video link

Serological, chemical and genetic testings are done by the respective people of these branches.

References

  1. Visible Proofs: Forensic Views forensic views the Body: Galleries: Exhibition Images: Upon a View of the Body
  2. "Autopsy Procedure". Archived from the original on 2003-09-05. Retrieved 2008-07-06. Keleka
  3. Walker JE, Rutty GN, Rodgers B, Woodford NW (January 2002). "How should the chest wall be opened at necropsy?". J. Clin. Pathol. 55 (1): 72–5. doi:10.1136/jcp.55.1.72. PMC 1769557. PMID 11825931.
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