how do i get to observe an autopsy?

Question

i am a criminal justice/bio major and would like to see a live autopsy for educational purposes. How would one go about this?

Answer 1

Autopsy's are performed by the coroner. You'd have to contact the coroner's office and ask what their procedures were.

Answer 2

Yes, quite a few (I work in pathology). In most ordinary medical autopsies (the usual type done in hospitals) the odor is not bad, especially if it is done in a modern facility with a good ventilation system. But that does vary, depending on what the person died from and how long he/she has been dead. If it is being done in the medical examiner's facility, that's a different story. It could be a recent gunshot victim, in which case odor isn't a concern. Or it could be a body found in the woods two weeks after death, which could be very unpleasant. If you are not overly sensitive to the sight of blood, you will probably do okay. I'm not saying there is a lot of blood in an autopsy - usually there isn't. I'm just saying that if you are not overly sensitive to one then you probably will not be overly sensitive to the other. The most "shocking" moment for most first-timers is the initial incisions. They are not delicate, as in surgery. That might be done before you are brought in. Otherwise if you are worried about that, just close your eyes at that moment. It takes less than 30 seconds.

Answer 3

You can contact the local coroner's office and ask if they would let you watch. You can also contact medical schools in your area, or chiropractic colleges. They dissect humans (like people in high school do to frogs) for anatomy reasons, they might allow you to observe.