Table 1 Overview of open autopsy and MITS procedure

Full autopsy

- Body inspection and recording of basic anthropometric data; body weight, height/length, mid-upper arm circumference, head circumference, lower leg length and foot length

- Extensive examination of internal organs begins with the creation of a Y or U- shaped incision from both shoulders joining over the sternum and continuing down to the pubic bone

MITS

- Body inspection and recording of basic anthropometric data; body weight, height/length, mid-upper arm circumference, head circumference, lower leg length and foot length

- Body palpation by a MITS specialist.

- Imaging/photography by a MITS technician

- Biopsy needles to obtain samples of lung, brain, liver and other organs for histopathologic and microbiologic examination to help determine COD