(m) Examine the face and note if lividity, congestion and/or petechiae are present (i) Examine the eyes and view the conjunctivae of both the globes and the eyelids. Note any petechiae in the upper or lower eyelids. Note any scleral icterus. Save contact lenses, if any are present. Collect at least 1 ml of vitreous humour from each eye (ii) Examine the nose and ears and note any evidence of trauma, haemorrhage, or other abnormalities. Examine the tympanic membranes (n) Examine all aspects of the neck externally and note any contusions, abrasions or petechiae. Describe and document injury patterns to help differentiate manual, ligature and hanging strangulation. Examine the neck at the conclusion of the autopsy (after removal of the brain and the thoracic contents), when the blood has drained out of the area, as this limits the formation of artefactual bruising associated with dissection (o) Examine all surfaces of the extremities – arms, forearms, wrists, hands, legs and feet – and note any “defence” wounds. Dissect and describe any injuries. Note any bruises about the wrists or ankles that may suggest restraints such as handcuffs or suspension. Examine the medial and lateral surfaces of the fingers, the anterior forearms and the backs of the knees for bruises (q) Examine the external genitalia and note the presence of any foreign material or semen. Note the size, location and number of any abrasions or contusions. Note any injury to the inner thighs or peri-anal area. Look for perianal burns (r) In cases of suspected sexual assault, examine all potentially involved orifices. A speculum should be used to examine the vaginal walls. Collect foreign hair by combing the pubic hair. Pull and save at least 20 of the deceased’s own pubic hairs, including roots. Aspirate fluid from the vagina and/or rectum for analysis (e.g. acid phosphatase, blood group and spermatozoa). Take swabs from the same areas for seminal fluid typing. Dry the swabs quickly with cool, blown air if possible and secure them individually in clean plain-paper envelopes (s) The back, the buttocks and extremities including wrists and ankles must be dissected subcutaneously to look for deeper injuries. The shoulders, elbows, hips and knee joints must also be dissected subcutaneously, and possibly further, to look for ligamentous and related injury. (p) Note any broken or missing fingernails. Take fingerprints in all cases. (If it is not possible to have fingerprints taken, explore all possible avenues – e.g. removing the epidermal “glove” of the fingers, or keeping the body so that fingerprints can be taken in the following days – to avoid the unacceptable prospect of having to remove the fingers). Save fingernail clippings and any under-nail tissue (nail scrapings). Examine the fingernail and toenail beds for evidence of objects having been pushed beneath the nails. Nails can be removed by dissecting the lateral margins and proximal base, and then the under-surface of the nails can be inspected. If this is done, the hands must be photographed before and after this dissection. Carefully examine the soles of the feet, noting any evidence of beating. Incise the soles to delineate the extent of any injuries. Examine the palms and knees, looking especially for glass shards or lacerations 41