Knowlege (autopsy?)

[Three_Haligonians]

We are trying to work out if autopsy should be its own knowlege skill or rather if it would fall under one of the other knowlege skills or any other skill, for that matter. We're talking about a forensic, "CSI"-type skill: think Johnny Depp in Sleepy-Hollow-type-stuff.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

T and J from Three Haligonians

 

[Crothian]

If you want a skill that allows people to perform, the autopsy I'd make it a proffession. If you just want the knowldge of the bosy, I'd go with knowledge anatomy. I guess it really matters with what specifly you want this skill to do.

 

[Three_Haligonians]

Sorry, should have specified, I want to be performing the autopsy(s?).

Thanks,

T from Three Haligonians

 

[Tumbler]

In a Ravenloft campaign I am getting ready to begin, we are doing it as a Heal check. We decided we didn't want a new skill for the core ability. It seems to me that someone who can make someone better could also tell what killed them. I am allowing 5 ranks in Profession (chirugeon) and/or 5 ranks in Knowledge (Anatomy) to grant a synergy bonus.

This way, anyone who has the heal skill can try to tell what killed someone, but someone who has focused on some fairly unusual skills can be a very good at it. A 2nd level NPC medical examiner (Expert) with a 14 wisdom and skill focus could have a +14, for example. +16 if you make up a +2/+2 feat to go along with it.

 

[Whimsical]

I like to use the Heal check for forensic analysis. Not only is it logical, it keeps the skill system from being further diluted from the addition of additional skills.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yup, I'd go with Heal, and the synergies suggested.

Man, I want to play in a D&D CSI game...

-Hyp.

 

[VorpalBunny]

Assuming you're playing a "modern" game, it would fall under Knowledge (medicine). Autopsy uses surgical and anatomy/physiology skills that would be covered under that skill. If you're looking for a skill to use to find criminal evidence or a pathology I'd suggest Forensics. When I homebrewed a Delta Green d20 conversion I added a "Forensics" skill - that seemed to work out nicely:

Forensics (Int, Trained Only)

Foreniscs is the knowledge of and ability to discover and interpert physical evidence from crime scenes and the deceased. The Knowledge (medicine) skill is used closely with the Forensics skill - any character with 5 or maore ranks in Knowledge (medicine) can add a +2 synergy bonus to Forensics checks.

 

[diaglo]

for a knowledge based skill i would place it under Knowledge(religion)... the preparation of the dead and such for burial rites.

otherwise i agree with Hyp. Heal skill.

 

[Henry]

Heal is a logical choice; in fact, I may incorporate that, because it might encourage more people to take it in my future games. In my experience, heal is rarely given ranks after 5th level or so

 

[Hand of Evil]

Knowledge (Autopsy)
- Gather Information adds to it
- Heal adds to it
- Domain (death) adds to it
- Domain (torture) adds to it
- Other