How is a post-mortem FSIS inspection done?

• A. Observation only
• B. Palpation and incision only
• C. Combination of observation, palpation, and incision of the head, thoracic and abdominal organs, and the eviscerated carcass after the hide, hair or feathers are removed
• D. Chemical testing

Answer: (C)

FSIS post-mortem inspection is a thorough, hands-on examination that combines what inspectors see, feel, and cut into. After the hide, hair, or feathers are removed and the animal is eviscerated, the carcass, head, and thoracic and abdominal organs are checked. This means observing external surfaces, palpating organs for abnormalities that aren’t obvious to the eye, and making targeted incisions to inspect internal tissues and surfaces for signs of disease, inflammation, contamination, or other issues.

Why this approach is best: Some problems show only in the interior of organs or on internal surfaces, not on the outside. Palpation helps detect subtle swellings, textures, or lesions, while incisions provide direct access to the internal organs and their surfaces to look for signs like lesions, adhesions, abscesses, or parasites. Inspecting the eviscerated carcass after removal of the hide/hair/feathers ensures a complete view of the internal anatomy and helps identify problems that would be missed by surface inspection alone.

Chemical testing is not part of the routine post-mortem inspection process described here; it serves different purposes (such as confirming residues) and is not the primary method of evaluating the carcass for disease or contamination during standard FSIS post-mortem exams.