10 Things That Happen To Your Body After You Die

8. The Post-Mortem #1

If it is unclear how a person died, a post-mortem examination (also known as an autopsy) will have to be carried out to figure out the cause of death.

First, they will take a look at the whole body, making notes of identifying features such as tattoos, scars and evidence of medical procedures. They will also look for any subtle evidence for the cause of death, a blunt trauma, a head injury hidden under the hair, needle marks et cetera.

After that, the internal investigation begins.

The first incision is made in the sternum right down to the pubic bone, but not too high up so that it won't be visible when the cadaver is clothed. It is also for this reason that the tongue is removed from the inside, necessitating the mortuary technician to reach up through the chest cavity and neck into the back of the mouth.

The rest are removed in three blocks working from top to bottom.