Tissue retention

During the examination of internal organs of the body, small pieces of the body tissues, each amounting to the size of between a 5 and 10 cent piece, are collected in order to allow the tissues to be examined under the microscope for microscopic disease processes that may not be able to be visualized with the naked eye during the autopsy dissection.  In order to make the microscope slides, these portions of tissue need to be processed in the laboratory, and this can take between 1 and 2 weeks to be completed.

Organ Retention

Occasionally, following discussions with the family of the deceased, arrangements are made to retain an organ for more detailed specialist pathological examination.  Unless the Coroner orders otherwise, the family are always consulted about this and we are able to make arrangements with the family for appropriate special funeral arrangements to be made regarding the retained organ at a later date.

Specimen Testing

The tissues and fluids collected during the autopsy may be used for specialist chemical or toxicological analysis, which is designed to indicate the presence or absence of particular drugs, poisons or chemicals.  This analysis may be very significant in reconstructing how the death occurred, and in many cases, may reveal the cause of death.  Depending on the types of drugs or poisons involved, it may take many weeks for the analysis of these fluids and tissues to be completed.