Forensic Autopsy Research

A forensic autopsy occurs in two different scenes of our film, and considering it's our first AND last scene we wanted to ensure it was as accurate as possible, so we decided to do some primary research on what actually happens during one. 

What an internal forensic autopsy looks like:

Torso placed on rubber block. Makes a Y shaped incision- on women the two arms of the Y curve under the breasts. In both sexes, the arms of the Y need to extend all the way up to each shoulder joint.

The use saw or rib cutter- cut along boundary between ribs and cartilage connected to the breastbone OR might cut sides of chest cavity, leaving ribs attached to breastbone and removing the entire frontal ribcage as one chest plate.

Begins with pathologist freeing intestines by cutting along attachment tissue with scissors or scalpel. Once each organ is examined it is removed, weighed and examined in further detail. Lungs with be inflated.

Tissue samples are taken, bodily fluids are also tested. Dissected parts will be preserved, particularly if considered unusual.

The body parts taken out and weighed include the intestines, liver, gallbladder and bile duct system, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, abdominal aorta, and reproductive organs. 

We felt it very important to do some research on the process of an autopsy, as although the film industry is almost notorious for not promoting factual material, I want to keep our film as realistic as possible. One of the vital conventions of a drama film is the realism of the plot, as this ensures audiences are full involved with the film and can fully appreciate the plot and experience the emotions.