CHSU Discovery

Abstract

Throughout history, postmortem dissections, primarily involving cadavers,
have been a cornerstone of anatomical education. However, as medical
curricula evolve, there has been a shift away from traditional cadaveric
dissections. To address this gap, forensic autopsies have been proposed to
supplement preclinical learning opportunities. While previous studies
suggest potential benefits, there is minimal research on the impact of
forensic autopsy observation among medical students who lack access to
hands-on cadaveric dissection in their curriculum. This study aims to
evaluate whether observing forensic autopsies enhances students’
perceived value of learning anatomy and pathophysiology in the absence
of cadaveric dissection opportunities.