Chrétien F
France
Research Article
Is Systematic Neuropathological Examination of the Whole Brain Ethically and Scientifically Licit in Forensic Context?
Author(s): Charlier P, Cavard S, Veneau L, Gray F, Chrétien F, Hervé C and Lorin de la Grandmaison GCharlier P, Cavard S, Veneau L, Gray F, Chrétien F, Hervé C and Lorin de la Grandmaison G
To date, the whole brain is classically freshly examined during the autopsy, and can be removed in entirety in order to perform a complementary neuropathological examination. Is-it legitimate to bury a corpse without the brain – this symbolic organ – in order to satisfy the physician’s curiosity and/or the scientific necessity? Indeed, brain is an organ with a strong symbolic signification. In order to estimate the accuracy of such post-mortem neuropathological examination of the whole brain, a brief survey was carried out in the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the R. Poincaré University Hospital (West Paris, France) between 2009 and 2011. On a total of 32 brains (=13.4%) removed on a total of 238 autopsies of adult individuals (in a good state of preservation, without exteriorization of the intra-cranial structures) and get full analysis by a.. View More»
