Long-lasting postmortem viability of human immunodeficiency virus: A potential risk in forensic medicine practice

Awareness of occupational risks and practices among funeral industry workers in Sri Lanka

“…None of the study participants were found to be HIV antibody positive, possibly due to the low prevalence (<0.1% of adult population) of HIV in Sri Lanka 10 and the reportedly poor stability of the HIV in cadavers 11. Five participants were found to be positive for Anti HBs (unpublished data) on later investigation although none of them claimed to have received vaccination for Hepatitis B.…”

Screening of Hiv Antibodies Before Medicolegal Autopsies

“…Therefore, delay in performing post-mortem will not abolish the risk of HIV infection. 17 Zehner et al conducted the study to detect HIV antibodies in post-mortem blood samples; 456 samples were collected and tested using the HIV-1/HIV-2 Test pack, among which 21 cases were proved to be positive and it was confirmed by Western blot. The study concludes that this HIV-Test pack gives proper results to HIV antibodies in whole blood.…”

HETA 96-0019-2666, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, Los Angeles, California.

“…25 In addition, researchers have demonstrated the ability of HIV to survive several hours to 16 days postmortem and has been detected several days outside of a host. 26,27 Due to the invasive nature of the procedures used in the operating theater and the aerosol-generating potential of specific surgical instruments (i.e., harmonic scalpels, electro-cautery knives, lasers, and reciprocating saws), there is an increased risk of exposure to aerosols that may contain infectious agents (i.e., Mycobacterium tuberculosis). These same risks are encountered during the conduct of autopsies.…”