The purpose of the autopsy is to try to determine the cause of death. A complete autopsy involves removal of the brain from the skull and all the internal organs from the three major body cavities a partial autopsy can range from just opening the chest and abdominal walls to anything just short of complete autopsy. The protocol for a complete . It may be adapted as needed for the partial autopsy the brain is preserved by immersing it in a bucket of formaldhyde solution 5-10% or cavity fluid for several hours the preserved brain is not returned to the skull but is either placed in the abdominal cavity with the viscera or put in a heavy duty plastic bag that is placed in the foot of the casket.