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Review
. 2018 Sep;8(3):426-451.
doi: 10.1177/1925362118797602. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

The Utility and Scope of Forensic Histopathology

Jacqueline L Parai, Christopher M Milroy
Review

The Utility and Scope of Forensic Histopathology

Jacqueline L Parai et al. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Forensic histopathology is the use of histology to aid in the identification of disease and injuries in forensic pathology practice. The value of routine microscopy has been challenged in various studies and discussions have taken place in forensic journals about how useful microscopic diagnosis is in medicolegal autopsies. This paper reviews the literature on the value of histological examination in forensic practice and discusses routine histochemical stains that can be used in postmortem examinations to aid in the diagnosis and add value by confirming or refuting macroscopic findings.

Keywords: Forensic pathology; Histology; Histopathology; Immunohistochemistry; Stains.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures & Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: Christopher M. Milroy is the Editor-In-Chief of Academic Forensic Pathology: The Official Publication of the National Association of Medical Examiners. The authors, reviewers, editors, and publication staff do not report any other relevant conflicts of interest

Figures

Image 1:
Image 1:
Vacuolation of cells in the pituitary in hypothermia (H&E, x200).
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Image 2:
Soot in airway in fire death (H&E, x100).
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Image 3:
Coronary artery atheroma with plaque hemorrhage and thrombus (Masson trichrome, x25).
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Carotid artery dissection (Movat stain, x100).
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Armanni-Ebstein lesion in the renal tubules (H&E, x200).
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Armanni-Ebstein lesion in the renal tubules (PAS, x200).
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Skin bruise in child (H&E, x100).
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Skin bruise in child (Perls’, x200).
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Lung. Fat embolism (oil red O, x50).
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Image 11:
Kidney with subnuclear vacuolation in ketoacidosis (H&E, x50).
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Image 12:
Kidney with subnuclear vacuolation in ketoacidosis due to fat accumulation (oil red O, x25).
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Image 9:
Lung. Fat embolism (H&E, x50).
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Congophilic angiopathy (Congo red, x200).
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Senile cardiac amyloidosis (H&E, x100).
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Senile cardiac amyloidosis (transthyretin immunohistochemistry, x100).
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Lung with pneumocystis pneumonia (H&E, x100).
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Lung with pneumocystis pneumonia (Grocott, x100).
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Kidney. Myoglobin in rhabdomyolysis (myoglobin, x200).
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Image 19:
Lung. Amniotic fluid embolism (H&E, x100).
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Image 20:
Lung. Amniotic fluid embolism. Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, x200).
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Image 21:
Decomposed lung showing features of crack cocaine use with prominent black areas (H&E, x25).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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