List of instruments used in forensics
Instruments used in Forensics, including autopsy dissections are as follows: [1]
Instrument list
| Instrument | Uses |
|---|---|
| Autopsy table | Corpses undergoing autopsy are placed here. |
| CO2 | for preservation of the corpse |
| Dissection scissors | Dissection scissors are used in autopsy to cut open body tissues. |
| Arterial & jugular tubes | to draw or drain out all the blood
before replacing it with embalming fluids like formaldehyde for preservation of structures as practiced in Anatomy |
| Head rest | To elevate the head |
| Restraint | to hold the corpse in place so that it does not change
position during dissection |
| Rubber gloves | Disposable gloves are used to prevent contamination of evidence and to keep the wearer safe. |
| Goggles | Goggles are worn to protect foreign objects from getting in the eyes. |
| Jackets, aprons, etc. | to protect against infection |
| Autopsy saws | to cut tough structures like bones |
| Blades | Blades are used during autopsy to cut bodily tissues. |
| Towel clamps | to hold towels in place |
| Skull breaker or often a (hammer and chisel) | To break the skull. |
| Bone saw | A bone saw is used for cutting bones. |
| Sternal saw | for cutting into the chest of the body by cutting
the sternum |
| Toothed forceps | for tearing or holding structures |
| Mallet | used as a hammer |
| Autopsy hammer | used just as a hammer |
| Skull key | a T-shaped chisel used as a lever while removing skull
cap[2] |
| Brain knife | to cleanly cut the brain |
| Rib shears | to cut through the ribs while opening the
chest[3] |
| Dissecting scissors | for sharp cutting |
| Speculum | for vaginal and rectal examinations |
| Non-absorbable sutures |
usually nylon to close the body cavities and sutures it |
| Postmortem needles | large thick needles for suturing the skin after
an autopsy to return the body to a natural looking state to prepare it for burial |
| Medical syringes | for fluid aspiration |
| Foley catheter | for evacuation or irrigation of the bladder to
collect a urine sample |
| Nasogastric tube | for nasogastric aspiration of stomach
contents; usually it is not used |
| Water bath | for flotation tests to detect presence of
gas, specially for infants (lungs, intestine) as a sign of postpartum life |
| Specimen jars/envelopes/packets | preservation of material evidence |
| Swabs | collecting smears |
| Metacarpal saw | video: External link; a bone saw |
| Double-ended probe | used for probing |
| Tongue tie | to tie away the tongue so
that it doesn't fall back into the pharynx |
| Formaldehyde | primary preservative for Anatomy; video link |
| saturated Common salt solution / Rectified spirit | primary
preservative for Autopsy; video link |
| Osteometric board | to measure the length of (usually dried) bones |
| X-ray boxes | to view X-ray images |
| Microscopes | Used to examine evidence |
| Fingerprint set | to collect fingerprints; video link |
Serological, chemical and genetic testings are done by the respective people of these branches.
Image gallery
-
Autopsy instruments -
Autopsy instruments ( old set) -
dissection table
References
- ^ Visible Proofs: Forensic Views forensic views the Body: Galleries: Exhibition Images: Upon a View of the Body
- ^ "Autopsy Procedure". Archived from the original on 2003-09-05. Retrieved 2008-07-06. Keleka
- ^ 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.
- "Dissecting Scissors | Surgical Scissors | Surgical Instruments". Dissecting Scissors | Surgical Scissors | Surgical Instruments. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- "Glossary for Crime Scene Investigation: Guides for Law Enforcement". National Institute of Justice. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- Fredrick, Hans (December 7, 2018). "What Kind of Equipment Do Forensic Scientists Use?". Career Trend. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- "How Autopsies Work". HowStuffWorks. 2004-08-03. Retrieved 2022-05-01.