Julie Longmate, Senior APT, Berkshire gives her thoughts on the Royal Institute of Public Health’s revised Handbook of Anatomical Pathology Technology.

Well I have done it I've read the handbook from start to finish. One of the first things you notice is that this book goes into a lot more detail than the last one.

The Role of the Anatomical Pathology Technician.
This chapter is very informative. I found the Coroners system very good dealing with not only deaths in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland but also a brief insight of the system in the USA and Europe.

Procedures and Policies.
Everything you need to know from aggressive and abusive relatives to everyone’s favourite…COSHH and SOP's. Some of this chapter is hard work…I couldn't work out the algebra.

The Autopsy.
Very clear instructions on what to do and the same on the reconstitution of the body. Easy step-by-step guide on removal and fixation of the brain and spinal cord. How many of us give the credit of dissection to Rokitanski only to my horror to find out it should be Letulle that should actually have our praise.

Retention of Tissue.
In this day and age we all need to be extremely aware of organ retention, this chapter tells you all you need to know.

Handling of Radioactive Bodies
Personally I have never come across this, but now I am fully aware of what I need to know.

Chemicals in the Mortuary.
This chapter is hard reading but tells what you need to know and a lot more besides. I myself had never heard of Bouin's solution.

Relatives in the Mortuary.
This deals with different religions and the way religions like to have the bodies laid out. Interesting.

Miscellaneous Procedures in the Mortuary.
This chapter covers quite a range of different subjects, but now we can all get those pacemakers out and dispose of them correctly.

Major Incidents.
Well after reading this I'm certainly ready for any in my area.

Training and Supervision.
Basic information we should all know.

Appendices.
Again very interesting had to get the medical dictionary out for some of the industrial diseases.

This is a very informative book. Reasonably easy to read, information is clear and everything you need to work or run a mortuary is in here.

If you are sitting your exam, this book is a must.

Well I’m off to my anger management course only stopping quickly to stock up my emergency box and buy a hairdryer.