What is the Difference Between Necropsy and Autopsy and What are These Procedures?

What is the Difference Between Necropsy and Autopsy and What are These Procedures?
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Both a necropsy and an autopsy are done to try and determine cause of death. Both of these examinations will be performed by a doctor postmortem. The main difference between a necropsy and an autopsy is that a necropsy is performed on animals and an autopsy is performed on humans.

Necropsy

A necropsy is an examination performed postmortem to determine an animals cause of death. This examination is most commonly done when a new animal-related disease breaks out among a species to help determine how the disease affects the species of animal. To begin the examination the examiner will first complete an external examination by thoroughly inspecting the exterior body. This examination will look for signs of disease or trauma. Any substance samples, body fluid samples and blood will be obtained during this time. Once the external examination is complete the examiner will open up the body exploring the inside of the body and internal organs for disease and other possible causes of death. During this part of the examination the examiner may biopsy internal organs for further analysis.

Autopsy

An autopsy is performed postmortem on humans to determine cause of death. This is examination is most commonly performed when a person dies suddenly, mysteriously and without a known cause. The examiner will begin searching for and taking any samples of hair or anything in it, they will scrape the fingernails for evidence, they will collect fibers, search for and take any samples of gunshot residue, and any other foreign objects discovered on the body’s surface. Oftentimes, an x-ray will be used to examine the body for bullets, broken bones and other similar findings. To begin this examination the examiner will photograph the body and take note of what clothing, jewelry and personal belongings the deceased has on them. The examiner will then document all identifying features including race, approximate age, sex, eye color, hair length and color, and any other features such as tattoos, scars, birthmarks and other similar features. Next the body will be fingerprinted and weighed and then the external examination will begin. The examiner will look for obvious signs of death such as trauma, gun shot wounds and puncture wounds. Next, the examiner will perform the internal examination and to begin this they start with a Y incision and then they pull back the rib cage exposing the internal organs. The examiner will take blood for analysis as well as any other necessary body fluids, take organ tissue samples for analysis and thoroughly inspect the internal organs for trauma or obvious disease. They will also look for and retrieve bullets if they are present. Once this is done the deceased is closed up and cleaned up and the examiner will send off all findings to a lab.

Differences Between Necropsy and Autopsy

The main difference is that a necropsy is done on animals and an autopsy is done on humans. They also differ in difficulty. An autopsy needs to be much more precise and calculated because it can often make the difference between finding a killer and not. A necropsy, though it needs to be performed thoroughly and completely, does not have as many consequences or steps. Other than those differences these two examinations performed on the dead do not differ much.

Resources

Wisegeek. (2009). Necropsy. Retrieved on September 25, 2009 from Website: https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-necropsy.htm

How Things Work. (2009). How Autopsies Work. Retrieved on September 25, 2009 from Website: https://health.howstuffworks.com/autopsy.htm