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International Journal of Legal Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 4/2017

01-07-2017 | Review

Back to the Future - Part 1. The medico-legal autopsy from ancient civilization to the post-genomic era

Authors: Giovanni Cecchetto, Thomas Bajanowski, Rossana Cecchi, Donata Favretto, Silke Grabherr, Takaki Ishikawa, Toshikazu Kondo, Massimo Montisci, Heidi Pfeiffer, Maurizio Rippa Bonati, Dina Shokry, Marielle Vennemann, Santo Davide Ferrara

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Part 1 of the review “Back to the Future” examines the historical evolution of the medico-legal autopsy and microscopy techniques, from Ancient Civilization to the Post-Genomic Era. In the section focusing on “The Past”, the study of historical sources concerning the origins and development of the medico-legal autopsy, from the Bronze Age until the Middle Ages, shows how, as early as 2000 BC, the performance of autopsies for medico-legal purposes was a known and widespread practice in some ancient civilizations in Egypt, the Far East and later in Europe. In the section focusing on “The Present”, the improvement of autopsy techniques by Friedrich Albert Zenker and Rudolf Virchow and the contemporary development of optical microscopy techniques for forensic purposes during the 19th and 20th centuries are reported, emphasizing, the regulation of medico-legal autopsies in diverse nations around the world and the publication of international guidelines or best practices elaborated by International Scientific Societies. Finally, in “The Future” section, innovative robotized and advanced microscopy systems and techniques, including their possible use in the bio-medicolegal field, are reported, which should lead to the improvement and standardization of the autopsy methodology, thereby achieving a more precise identification of natural and traumatic pathologies.
Footnotes
1
A pharmacist, on a warm night, drank a bottle filled with mercury. The next morning, he was found dead, with mercury discharging from the anus. The autopsy was performed, also revealing coagulated blood within the heart. Furthermore, a pound of mercury was found inside the stomach.
 
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Metadata
Title
Back to the Future - Part 1. The medico-legal autopsy from ancient civilization to the post-genomic era
Authors
Giovanni Cecchetto
Thomas Bajanowski
Rossana Cecchi
Donata Favretto
Silke Grabherr
Takaki Ishikawa
Toshikazu Kondo
Massimo Montisci
Heidi Pfeiffer
Maurizio Rippa Bonati
Dina Shokry
Marielle Vennemann
Santo Davide Ferrara
Publication date
01-07-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1584-8

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