The Autopsy

After three weeks, in the basement of the National Palaces of the Invalides, in Paris, a medical crew from the Pitié-Salpêtière were working with specialist from the Scientific Police General Department. There were as well experts from the Louvre Museum, coordinated by Jean-Herní Charnay. Their aim was to carry out an autopsy and collect samplesfrom the mysterious martyr.

Extract of the appendix of the central dossier of the investigation. It included the autopsy extract and the event timing, based on the associated interviews of the investigation.

Thursday 4th November.07:58 h. The Louvre experts carefully remove the ropes, clothing and jewelry that adorn the corpse. 08:56 h. The autopsy begins with an external examination of the body. It seems to be obvious fight and torture marks. Curiously, many of them seem post-mortem marks. 09:50 h. Samples from the mummy have been taken. We have obtained tissue from the optic nerve, the heart and one of the lungs. 10:00 h. The crew is about to extract a blood sample, absolutely coagulated, from the femoral artery. 10:05 h. Dr. Charnay has had a ridiculous accident. He has stumbled over one of the thick lamp wires and has fallen onto the technician that was extracting blood from the incorrupt body. He seems to have been stung by the needle in his forearm. The tap looks quite mild. He has gone back to the room after briefly being looked after. 11:20 h. The sample extractions from abdomen and the inner part of the spine have been terminated. 12:00 h. Professor Charnay looks indisposed. His appearance has rapidly changed and he shows now a serious pale countenance. He is shivering. In spite of our insistence the doctor refuses to visit a hospital and blames tiredness and the flu for this situation, since there is rough weather with cold and rain these days in France. 14:40 h. The professor apologizes and decides to go home in order to have some rest. 19:37 h. Charnay’s assitant repeatedly rings the doctor to ask about his health, obtaining no answer.

Friday 5th November.09:05 h. Professor Charnay has not come to university today. His assistant phones his home again… there is no answer. 13:40 h. Torrential hail showers over Paris. It looks like midnight even though it is lunch time. Sécurité Civile recommends the population not leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary. The weather forecast announces a light improvement in the next twenty-four hours. The people lock themselves at home, attentive to the radio.