Which ingredient is frequently found in autopsy chemicals?

Autopsy chemicals are often formulated to preserve tissues and maintain the integrity of biological specimens for examination. Paraformaldehyde is commonly used in this context as it is a polymerized form of formaldehyde that is effective for tissue fixation. When paraformaldehyde is dissolved in a buffer, it forms formaldehyde, which has strong protein cross-linking properties. This cross-linking is crucial in preserving the cellular structures and morphology for microscopic evaluation, allowing pathologists to perform detailed examinations.

While formaldehyde is directly used for tissue fixation, its polymer, paraformaldehyde, is favored in laboratory settings because it can be prepared in solid form and is less irritating than other solutions. Therefore, its use in autopsy chemicals is significant for maintaining the quality of the samples for forensic or pathological analysis.