Editing Alien autopsy

{{about|dissection of alien bodies|other uses|Alien autopsy (disambiguation)}}
{{Short description|Dissection of extraterrestrial being}}
An '''alien autopsy''' refers to a dissection or examination of an alleged extraterrestrial biological entities (EBEs) recovered from crash sites or other incidents.

== Terminology ==
The term "alien autopsy" has entered popular culture as a general reference to the dissection or necropsy of alien remains. Despite the term "autopsy," which typically implies determining the cause of death, most reported alien autopsies aim to study the anatomy and biology of these beings rather than investigate their manner of death, which is often presumed to be vehicle-related accidents, such as [[electrogravitic spacecraft]] crashes. Technically, these procedures would often be more accurately characterized as [[dissection|dissections]] or [[necropsy|necropsies]], depending on the context. However, the term "autopsy" persists due to its implications of personhood and its dramatic associations in media and public discourse.

== Overview ==
An alien autopsy typically involves the dissection of a humanoid or non-humanoid extraterrestrial being. The process is said to focus on the following:

- Examination of external features, such as skin texture, limb structure, and head morphology.
- Internal dissection to study organ systems, tissues, and any anomalous biological mechanisms.
- Collection of samples for chemical and genetic analysis.
- Documentation of findings, often for alleged reverse-engineering purposes.

While the stated purpose of these procedures varies, they are often associated with research into alien anatomy, biotechnology, or even potential threats.

== History ==
The most notable claims of alien autopsies include the following:

- 1947: Roswell incident  
  The alleged autopsy following the [[Roswell UFO incident]] is the most famous case. It reportedly involved the dissection of humanoid extraterrestrial beings recovered from a crash site in [[Roswell, New Mexico]].

- 1950s–1980s  
  International claims surfaced during this period, suggesting similar autopsies were conducted in the Soviet Union and China.

- 1990s  
  Conspiracy theorists often point to alleged alien autopsies at [[Area 51]] during this era, tying them to reverse engineering of alien technology.

- 2000s–Present  
  Recent claims focus on smaller-scale examinations and purported footage, much of which has been widely disputed.

== Cultural impact ==
Alien autopsies have become a recurring theme in popular culture, inspiring movies, television shows, and conspiracy theories. They are often discussed within the broader context of [[ufology]] and government secrecy.

[[Alien Autopsy (disambiguation)|Alien Autopsy]] may also refer to related topics listed on the disambiguation page.