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An autopsy assistant has been fired in Brazil after allegedly being caught having sex with a dead woman.

The 52-year-old, named locally as Wanderley dos Santos Silva, was sacked after a colleague discovered him lying on top of a young woman due for an autopsy.

The shocking incident happened at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in the Amazon capital of Manaus.

Local reports said he had been drunk at the time and a second colleague he had been out boozing with was also given his marching orders.

The institute has now installed cameras. A police investigation is ongoing and if the shamed worker ends up being charged, he could face up to three years in prison.

(Image: Getty Images)

A police statement carried by local media said: “The Amazon Technical-Scientific Police Department has requested the opening for a police inquiry to investigate a complaint about the practice of necrophilia committed by an autopsy assistant. The matter is under investigation.

“The autopsy assistant was fired along with an admin worker.

“The assistant was reported to police after allegedly being caught in a suspect situation in the autopsy room.

(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

“Colleagues said they had found pulling his pants up as he got off the autopsy table where a woman’s body was lying.”

The incident is said to have occurred in the early hours of November 24, hours after Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo beat Argentinian side River to win the South American equivalent of the Champions League final. It has only just been made public.

The two men sacked had reportedly been out drinking together to celebrate the Brazilian’s team victory before returning to their place of work.