Supplemental or additive; these include pre-injecton, co-injection and humectant or restorative fluids.
Accessory Fluids
A group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity fluids.
Accessory Chemicals
Various Types of Accessory Chemicals
Have preservative power and also act as a moisture absorber.
Hardening Compound
Has preservative power.
Preservative Powder
Typically includes glues and adhesives.
Sealing Agents
Phenol is commonly used for this purpose.
Mold Preventative Agents
Cotton saturated with cavity fluid or arterial fluid (the arterial fluid cannot contain active dyes for this purpose.)
Surface Compresses
Fluids diluted with water to form a chemical solution used to prepare the body tissues and the vascular system for the arterial fluid solution.
Pre-Injection Fluids (Capillary Wash, Clot Dispersers)
What do Pre-Injection and Co-Injections do?
Never do this to an autopsied body.
Preinject
To clear vascular system of blood and enable the arterial fluid solution to have greater distribution. A lengthy postmortem interval with livor mortis would be an example of a situation calling for pre-injection.
Purpose of Preinjection
Control the rate of action of the main preservative chemicals in AFS. High HCHO indexes are harsh and would sear the tissues. Used to control the HCHO strength/speed of action.
Modifying Agents
Components of Modifying Agents
Reduce surface tension, aid in distribution/diffusion (better preservation).
Surfactants
Higher concentrations than anticoagulants and also treat water.
Water Conditioning Agents
Anticoagulants
Mask the odor of the astringent chemicals.
Deodorants (Masking or Perfuming Agents, formally referred to as Reodorants)
Adds and helps retain moisture in the bodily tissues, prevents deyhdration.
Humectants
Control the pH balance.
Buffers
Also known as vectors, carriers, diluents.
Vehicles
These are essentially humectant and formaldehyde controlling chemicals added to an arterial fluid solution forming a homogeneous mixture.
Coinjection fluid and Preinjection fluid
To restore the vitally essential non-coagulating hydrophilic agents of the arterial fluid and to bolster all of the chemical ingredients contained in arterial fluid with the exception of the preservative-germicidial ingredients.
Purpose of Preinjection and Coinjection
Similar chemicals combine to make a one in the same mixture. In this case, a stronger or fortified mixture.
Homogeneous Mixture