Postmortem examination

Postmortem examination (also known as an autopsy) is a detailed examination of a body after death to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist.

Overview

Postmortem examinations are performed for legal or medical purposes. For legal purposes, postmortem examinations are performed to determine if death was an accident or a homicide, and to provide evidence in criminal investigations. For medical purposes, postmortem examinations are performed to gain a better understanding of how diseases progress and how they can be treated.

Procedure

The procedure for a postmortem examination can vary, but it typically involves three stages: external examination, internal examination, and microscopic examination. During the external examination, the pathologist records the body's appearance and looks for signs of trauma or disease. During the internal examination, the pathologist examines the body's organs for signs of disease or injury. During the microscopic examination, the pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to look for abnormalities.

Legal and ethical considerations

There are many legal and ethical considerations involved in postmortem examinations. In many jurisdictions, postmortem examinations are required by law in certain circumstances, such as when death is sudden or unexplained. In other cases, consent from the next of kin may be required. Ethical considerations can include respect for the dead and cultural or religious beliefs about death and the body.

See also

• Forensic pathology
• Medical examiner
• Coroner
• Death investigation

References

Postmortem examination Resources
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