Delaney Russell J, Roberts Ian S D
Forensic Pathology Unit, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK.
J Clin Pathol. 2007 Apr;60(4):419-21. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2005.036178. Epub 2006 Jun 14.
On 1 June 2005, amendments to the Coroners Rules 1984 were introduced in England and Wales. These principally cover the retention of tissues from autopsies and their subsequent disposal. This study assesses regional variations in the interpretations of the amendments, and their impact on local autopsy practice in Oxford.
A questionnaire was circulated to pathologists in 120 coronial jurisdictions, addressing conditions under which histological material could be retained. A local review of autopsy practice was conducted before and after the introduction of the amendments.
Questionnaires were returned from 71 coronial jurisdictions. 35 (49%) coroners provided written guidelines on their interpretation of the amendments. In 52 (73%) jurisdictions, pathologists are authorised to retain material to confirm/refine causes of death from natural causes. In 77% of jurisdictions, coroner's officers are responsible for obtaining instructions from the next of kin on subsequent retention, use or disposal of retained tissues. In Oxford, there has been a reduction in the proportion of cases in which histology is taken, but an increase in the proportion of cases in which a histology report is issued.
There is considerable regional variation in the interpretation of the 2005 Coroners Rules Amendments. These variations have potentially important implications for clinical practice.
2005年6月1日，英格兰和威尔士对1984年《死因裁判官规则》进行了修订。这些修订主要涉及尸检组织的留存及其后续处理。本研究评估了对这些修订的解释在地区上的差异，以及它们对牛津当地尸检实践的影响。
向120个死因裁判辖区的病理学家发放了一份问卷，涉及可留存组织学材料的条件。在修订引入前后，对尸检实践进行了本地审查。
收到了来自71个死因裁判辖区的问卷回复。35名（49%）死因裁判官就他们对修订的解释提供了书面指导方针。在52个（73%）辖区，病理学家被授权留存材料以确认/完善自然死亡原因。在77%的辖区，死因裁判官的官员负责就留存组织的后续留存、使用或处理事宜获取近亲的指示。在牛津，进行组织学检查的病例比例有所下降，但出具组织学报告的病例比例有所上升。
对2005年《死因裁判官规则修订案》的解释在地区上存在相当大的差异。这些差异对临床实践可能具有重要意义。
