What Really Happens During an Autopsy in Texas

Has anyone else had the morbid curiosity of what truly goes on during an autopsy? I know, it sounds nasty, but hasn't it been interesting to you even in the slightest? If not, I believe you to be a liar!

Okay, moving away from name-calling, I did some digging into how the autopsy process works here in Texas, and what I found was pretty groundbreaking and really put the final nail in the coffin of my expectations.

Life-Changing Autopsy Facts in Texas

First of all, it's important to know that an autopsy serves as a detailed medical exam of a body. An autopsy is NOT done to prepare for a funeral, although it does takes place before any public viewing, and any incisions or cuts will be hidden before any open-casket funerals.

These are the reasons an autopsy would ever happen to a body, according to Hopkins Medicine:

• If the death was unexpected or suspicious
• If there's a public health concern or outbreak
• When the cause of death is not officially declared for the death certificate
• When family requests an autopsy
• For legal purposes surrounding suicide, homicide, or an accidental death

How Are Autopsies Actually Done?

You can always learn more from Lubbock's Medical Examiner's Office off of South Loop 289, but the first step of any autopsy is a visual exam of the outside of the body. This is done before any cuts are made in order to document any marks or damage that stands out.

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Next, the organs are examined after cuts are made in order to inspect if there was any harm sustained to the heart, lungs, liver, etc. After this comes the fun part. The organs, fluids, and tissues are then observed on a microscopic level.

All organs are then removed and weighed before being preserved for processing at a later date.

Finally, after the lab tests are concluded, a final report from the medical examiner is made which can be reviewed by family of the deceased.

The entire process can take up to four hours, but hey, I don't think the patient is in a rush to go anywhere soon.