What does the term 'en block excision' refer to in forensic medicine?

The term 'en block excision' in forensic medicine refers specifically to the complete removal of an organ or group of tissues in one piece, rather than removing them in separate segments or piecemeal. This technique is often utilized when the entire organ needs to be studied, such as in cases involving tumors or infections, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the tissue architecture and pathology.

This method is advantageous in forensic investigations as it preserves the spatial relationships between different tissues, which can be crucial for determining the nature of injuries, the extent of disease, or other pathological findings. It contrasts with techniques like removing samples for analysis, which typically involve smaller, more targeted tissue samples, or excisional procedures aimed at organ transplantation, where the priority would be on preserving the donor organ's viability. A complete autopsy, though thorough, refers to a systematic examination of the entire body, not specifically the removal of an organ as proposed in the context of en block excision.