b. Any skin lesions should also be biopsied.

c. Do not use iodine-containing preparations, since

cell growth may be impaired.

d. Best collected within 4 to 12 hours of death. Skin

biopsy up to 2 to 3 days postmortem may still provide a viable culture.

e. Place in viral transport media. If unavailable may

use normal saline or saline soaked gauze.

f. 3- × 2-mm punch or scalpel biopsies can be taken

from forearm or anterior thigh (18).

g. Samples may be kept at room temperature or refrigerated.

h. Cells can be cultured and archived in liquid nitrogen for many years and still be successfully recovered for analysis.

6. Liver

a. Obtain if hepatic disease was present or for suspected metabolic disease (19,20).

b. Collect as soon as possible after death, preferably

within 2 to 4 hours.

c. Tissue may be obtained via open wedge biopsy or

percutaneous needle biopsy.

(1) Wedge biopsy: Locate the right costal margin.

Make a 2-cm incision just below and incise

Table 25.1 Key Elements of Family History

Gender of each individual using standard pedigree symbols

Male relatives on the maternal side when considering X-linked recessive

disorder

Consanguinity

Miscarriage and stillbirths

Ethnic origin of family

Table 25.2 Photographic Format

Whole body

Face: Flat and profile

Right and left ear

Right and left hand: Dorsum and palm

Right and left foot: Dorsum and sole

Palate

Genitalia

Special view of any other abnormality