ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a synopsis of the external examination with a worked example of a basic examination as could appear in a report. Prior to undertaking the evisceration and internal examination, be it a ‘hospital’ or a medicolegal autopsy, it is essential that the pathologist personally performs a systematic external examination. Pathologists should perform a full external examination on every single case that they deal with prior to the cleaning and opening of the body. In police cases, jewellery should be handed to the exhibits officer and processed as for clothing. The presence or absence, site and type of all jewellery should be carefully documented. Once the general examination has been undertaken, the body is examined in detail for the presence of signs of natural disease, modifications, medical intervention, drug misuse and injuries. The dorsal and volar surfaces of the hands, feet and, particularly, the digits should be examined for evidence of natural or unnatural disease.
