ABSTRACT
Reconstruction of the body after autopsy is a very important and often overlooked part of the overall investigation, and would normally be entrusted to the anatomical pathology technologist (APT) — though most forensic pathologists would be reasonably well versed in this procedure. The APT is specifically trained in the art of reconstruction and therefore is usually the person who will perform these procedures — although in some areas of the world this may be assigned to staff within a funeral home. A satisfactory reconstruction can be achieved only if the autopsy procedure itself has been performed to the highest standard and the pathologist understands how a body is reconstructed after the autopsy. After a fetal autopsy, the fragility of the skin occasionally makes suturing an unsuitable method of reconstruction. Suturing was performed using single good-quality mattress twine attached to a long cutting needle, straight or serpentine depending on personal preference.
