Forensic Medicine · Autopsy & Examination of the Dead

Hazards of the Autopsy Room

1 min read · Verified by professors

Biological Hazards

  • Bacterial: tuberculosis, typhoid, cholera, meningococcal infections.
  • Viral: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV infection, rabies.
  • Fungal: various opportunistic fungal infections.

Physical Hazards

  • Scalpel injuries
  • Needle-stick injuries
  • Bone splinter injuries
  • Cuts from broken glass
  • Slipping on wet floors

Chemical Hazards

  • Formalin vapours
  • Disinfectants
  • Toxic gases
  • Preservative chemicals

Respiratory Hazards

  • Aerosols generated during autopsy.
  • Bone dust during sawing of the skull.
  • Airborne infectious particles.

Electrical Hazards

  • Defective electrical equipment.
  • Improper grounding of instruments.