Abstract:
This necropsy manual is designed to establish a base level of profiency in marine mammal necropsy techniques.
It is written for stranding network members who do not have a formal pathobiological training and have
limited knowledge of anatomy. Anatomical and pathological jargon has been kept to a minimum. This manual is
divided into six sections: preliminary data, sample management, pinniped, small ceetacean, large whale (at sea
and on the beach), and multiple appendices (A-H). A well-illustrated, carefully written gross necropsy report
is essential to an adequate diagnostic investigation. Gross reports with significant detail and description tend to
engender useful histopathological findings. A sample blank gross necropsy report and guidelines in writing a
report can be found in Appendices A & B. Overall, this guide aims to lead the enquiring mind through the
necessary steps to produce such reports. While this manual focuses on process and interpretation, it is
important to understand that the gross necropsy is primarily about making detailed, descriptive observations
without bias as to possible etiology. The necropsy should establish a list of differential diagnoses and the
sampling be directed by an attempt to discriminate between them.
