[Histonet] Histology's contribution to Forensic Science

[Sellis4051 <@t> aol.com]

Thanks for your response. After reading your email, I decided that I would 
have a part of my presentation focus on the detriments due to the poor handling 
that these medical examiners give their tissues. So I'll be including some 
mention of the consequences of improper fixation, including your IHC concern. I'm 
still hoping that someone out there will have had an experience that firmly 
links histology to the proper resolution of a death investigation case.
Sandra Ellis

In a message dated 10/21/2003 7:33:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
LBlack <@t> carilion.com writes:
Sandra,
  The Histology Lab where I work processes ME cases.  I believe the specimens 
are sometimes held at the ME's office for several days/weeks before they are 
sent to us.  We perform these cases as we have time.  The specimens still have 
to be trimmed in to an appropriate size before placing into cassettes.  My 
concern is when immunoperoxidase stains are requested on these cases after a 
prolonged stay in fixative, a false negative stain may result due to masking of 
antigenic determinates.  For hospital surgical cases, we always have the 
tissues processed the same day if possible.  Even with a weekend holiday, specimens 
are not held in fixative for longer than 72 hours.  Sounds like an interesting 
job you have.  Best wishes.
Lisa Black
Carilion Consolidated Laboratory
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/pipermail/histonet/attachments/20031027/6ef7c50c/attachment.htm