Wonder what the coroner's report says versus what the family hired funeral director says. The coroner did have the body first and I am sure cleaned it up some.[/quote]
I'm catching up from VERY early this am (how come nobody else was here @ 3:30 EST? :what:?) and just feel the need to clarify this statement (BBM).
The decedent body leaves the ME's office AFTER the forensic pathologist completes the very detailed post mortem examination (autopsy) AND AFTER the body is returned to "hospital discharge condition", that is sewn up, washed and placed into a clean body bag, frequently provided by the funeral home (won't go into reasons why but....).
Part of the external examination is OBSERVATION of the decedent: UP CLOSE & PERSONAL, both clothing & body, dressed & undressed. (Oh yeah, DOCUMENTATION is made....heck there are even standardized forms!). AFTER evaluating the body in toto, TRACE materials from ANYWHERE on or in the decedent may be removed for analytical evaluation. Once on the table, the body is washed (okay, rinsed down) to remove "contaminating" materials prior to the Y incision (standard method of opening the decedent) for the internal examination.
And............as usual I'm "lecturing" :banghead::banghead:
Anyhow....decedents are clean when they leave the ME's office!