Forensic Pathology and the Utilization of Histology: A Brief Review

Abstract

The utilization of histology by forensic pathologists varies. This article is a brief review of how histology is (or perhaps should be) employed in the work of forensic pathologists who perform autopsies in the various death investigation systems in the United States. The review includes information obtained from professional practice guidelines, standards, and other relevant reference sources. General recommendations and conclusions include: if blocks or slides are not prepared, stock tissue should be obtained and retained for a minimum of one year; processing tissues to blocks only is an acceptable alternative to the storage of fixed stock tissue; when the autopsy fails to demonstrate a grossly apparent cause of death (except in skeletal cases), tissues should be processed for microscopic examination; microscopic slides should be performed to document/confirm grossly apparent natural disease processes or to further clarify possible underlying etiologies; focal lesions especially those thought to be inflammatory/infectious, neoplastic, or of a possible genetic/familial origin should be processed to slides; when appropriate, sections should be processed to slides in an attempt to age or date injuries or in an attempt to verify the presence or nature of foreign materials; the autopsy report should include a description of the tissues examined and documentation of relevant positive and negative findings; pertinent microscopic diagnoses should be reflected in the summary of findings in the autopsy report or a written addendum.