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List of instruments used in forensics

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Instruments used in Forensics, including autopsy dissections are as follows: [1]

Instrument list

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Instrument Uses
Autopsy table Corpses undergoing autopsy are placed here.
CO2 for preservation of the corpse
Dissection scissors Dissection scissors are used in autopsy to cut open body tissues.
Arterial & jugular tubes to draw or drain out all the blood

before replacing it with embalming fluids like formaldehyde for preservation of structures as practiced in Anatomy

Head rest To elevate the head
Restraint to hold the corpse in place so that it does not change

position during dissection

Rubber gloves Disposable gloves are used to prevent contamination of evidence and to keep the wearer safe.
Goggles Goggles are worn to protect foreign objects from getting in the eyes.
Jackets, aprons, etc. to protect against infection
Autopsy saws to cut tough structures like bones
Blades Blades are used during autopsy to cut bodily tissues.
Towel clamps to hold towels in place
Skull breaker or often a (hammer and chisel) To break the skull.
Bone saw A bone saw is used for cutting bones.
Sternal saw for cutting into the chest of the body by cutting

the sternum

Toothed forceps for tearing or holding structures
Mallet used as a hammer
Autopsy hammer used just as a hammer
Skull key a T-shaped chisel used as a lever while removing skull

cap[2]

Brain knife to cleanly cut the brain
Rib shears to cut through the ribs while opening the

chest[3]

Dissecting scissors for sharp cutting
Speculum for vaginal and rectal examinations
Non-absorbable sutures

usually nylon to close the body cavities and sutures it

Postmortem needles large thick needles for suturing the skin after

an autopsy to return the body to a natural looking state to prepare it for burial

Medical syringes for fluid aspiration
Foley catheter for evacuation or irrigation of the bladder to

collect a urine sample

Nasogastric tube for nasogastric aspiration of stomach

contents; usually it is not used

Water bath for flotation tests to detect presence of

gas, specially for infants (lungs, intestine) as a sign of postpartum life

Specimen jars/envelopes/packets preservation of material evidence
Swabs collecting smears
Metacarpal saw video: External link; a bone saw
Double-ended probe used for probing
Tongue tie to tie away the tongue so

that it doesn't fall back into the pharynx

Formaldehyde primary preservative for Anatomy; video link
saturated Common salt solution / Rectified spirit primary

preservative for Autopsy; video link

Osteometric board to measure the length of (usually dried) bones
X-ray boxes to view X-ray images
Microscopes Used to examine evidence
Fingerprint set to collect fingerprints; video link

Serological, chemical and genetic testings are done by the respective people of these branches.

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References

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  1. ^ Visible Proofs: Forensic Views forensic views the Body: Galleries: Exhibition Images: Upon a View of the Body
  2. ^ "Autopsy Procedure". Archived from the original on 2003-09-05. Retrieved 2008-07-06. Keleka
  3. ^ Walker JE, Rutty GN, Rodgers B, Woodford NW (January 2002). "How should the chest wall be opened at necropsy?". J. Clin. Pathol. 55 (1): 72–5. doi:10.1136/jcp.55.1.72. PMC 1769557. PMID 11825931.