Assuming the head and brain are totally intact, a pathologist performing an autopsy of a schizophrenic subject would notice the schizophrenic brain has a significant loss of gray matter compared to a normal brain as much as 25% less. The ventricles of a schizophrenic brain are much larger and contain more fluid than the normal brain. Because of these significant physical traits of the Schizophrenic Brain, Schizophrenia is not only a Mental Illness but a Brain Disease as well. Studies of Subjects with Bi-Polar disorder show similar findings.
Originally Posted by acp5762
As with any "investigation" of the result in an attempt to discover the probable cause, the question arises is the condition of the brain one of the causes of the Schizophrenia or was the Schizophrenia the cause of the condition of the brain. The former is more likely, since there are many people with brain damage who are not Schizophrenic and have not demonstrated behavioral characteristics of Schizophrenia.
I will leave it at that.
As for interview and peripheral investigations that contribute to the autopsy reports, those are not a part of the "autopsy," but are considered a part of the "inquest" that may result in a magistrate's finding based upon a standard of proof, but it is not scientifically determined from physiological or chemical examination and testing.
I am familiar with medical examiners who have drawn their own flawed opinions as to the "cause of death" and based on that experience, the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy (of which I am personally familiar) would not be qualified to determine that someone was Schizophrenic. An infamous example was a long time ago in the Houston area with an Agricultural agent was investigating certain high profile folks down in the Houston area and was found with two rifle shots in the back and the EM concluded it was suicide. Another past EM in the general Houston area hardly ever concluded that a death was a homicide and would issue the conclusion for the death certificate before reviewing any information from LE investigators.
When LE (or physicians) draw a conclusion first and then seek evidence to support their conclusion, most often they can find it. In LE work that is cosidered a "focused investigation," and in the medical profession it is malpractice.
The "behavior" of the individual determines the Schizophrenia not the brain condition.
Now, spend some time reviewing the "side effects" of many of the prescription drugs administered to persons admitted as "mental patients," who are not interviewed by a psychiatrist for days, if not weeks, after they have been "hospitalized" and have consumed days, if not weeks, worth of meds. Then look at the behavorial symptoms of the particular diagnosis reported by the psychiatrist. And "we" all know the typical "requirement" for the road to "recovery" .... admit you are sick....and until you do that you will never be "cured." AA 101.
The subjective nature of "mental health" evaluations and decisions is the exact reason why I have a problem with a broad sweep with the movement to restrict access to firearms .... I am not advocating that "crazies" be handed firearms ... I am merely addressing the abuses throughout our social and judicial history that have resulted because of the conclusions drawn from "deviant" behavior of persons who were "observed" to not be acting "normal" ... it began with the Salem witch trials and continues to the present day.
Look at the name-calling and labeling on this board:
I will "assume" everyone posting on here is a potential juror on a "mental health" case that could result in whether or not the "defendant" will be allowed to purchase a firearm. The standard for determining the "conclusion" is not the same as in a criminal case.