When is autopsy performed




















The attending physician who provided medical services prior to the person's death is responsible for signing the death certificate. In the event the attending physician doesn't sign the death certificate, then the coroner or medical examiner takes jurisdiction.

A medical examiner, coroner, or justice of the peace will sign death certificates for cases under their jurisdiction. The Coroner, Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace has authority over cases of sudden, unexpected, violent or traumatic death. The Medical Examiner may also take jurisdiction of cases involving a natural death under certain circumstances. If the deceased has a significant, well-documented medical history, the Medical Examiner will usually release the case and not perform an autopsy.

The guidelines may vary by jurisdiction. Private autopsies will be performed in our facility where the highest clinical and forensic standards are practiced. If not under the jurisdiction of a medical examiner, an autopsy may be recommended. Questions family members may have related to the death can be investigated. An autopsy often discloses information about inheritable diseases that will assist surviving family members with their own healthcare.

If medical malpractice or medical neglect is suspected, an autopsy can document the disease process and treatment. We suggest you consult with an American Forensics doctor who can help you decide if your questions related to the death can be answered by an autopsy. Autopsy should not interfere with viewing at a funeral. When performed correctly, the incisions performed at the time of autopsy are not visible after routine embalming procedures and would not interfere with viewing the deceased at a funeral.

Yes, however, for the best outcome, an autopsy should be performed on an un-embalmed body after proper refrigeration. If there is a long delay beyond one week between the time of death and the autopsy, embalming is recommended to preserve the body tissues.

Embalming interferes with most of the toxicology studies. The forensic pathologist conducting the autopsy is available to discuss case findings with the family throughout the process. A preliminary one-page written report, called ucProvisional Anatomical Diagnosisud is mailed to the authorizing family member within hours after an autopsy is performed. The final report including all histology and toxicology tests interpreted by the physician will be completed and mailed within 60 days.

In the case of a private autopsy, only the legal next of kin can authorize an autopsy. A medical examiner, coroner, or justice of the peace may also authorize autopsy examinations when they fall under their jurisdiction. The death is unexpected and unexplained in an infant or child. The death is associated with police action. The death is apparently non-natural and in custody of a local, state, or federal institution.

The death is due to acute workplace injury. The death is caused by apparent electrocution. The death is by apparent intoxication by alcohol, drugs, or poison, unless a significant interval has passed while hospitalized , and the medical findings and absence of trauma are well-documented. Grief is a process, not an event — most people will continue to grieve in subtle ways for the rest of their lives. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

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Home End of life and palliative care services. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Coroner's autopsy Hospital autopsy The right to refuse an autopsy The autopsy procedure Tissue samples from an autopsy The funeral Autopsy results Where to get help Things to remember.

Coroner's autopsy A coroner's autopsy is performed if the coroner or police need information for legal reasons about the cause of death — for example, if the person was murdered or their death was suspicious. Hospital autopsy A hospital or non-coronial autopsy may be performed if the immediate family give their consent. Some of the reasons for a hospital autopsy can include: In some cases, the cause of the person's fatal illness may be unknown or uncertain. An autopsy can help determine the success or otherwise of a treatment method.

An autopsy can give family members information in the case of suspected genetic illness. Medical science can learn about disease processes, such as atherosclerosis or sudden infant death syndrome SIDS , or the prevalence of particular diseases.

The right to refuse an autopsy 'Hospital' and 'coronial' post mortems have differing rules around refusal rights. Hospital autopsy The immediate family has the right to refuse or agree to a hospital autopsy of the deceased. Coronial autopsy The senior next of kin may object to the carrying out of a coronial autopsy and the coroner must consider their request to reconsider if the request is made within 48 hours of the senior available next of kin receiving a notification from the coroner.

The autopsy procedure The autopsy is performed like a surgical operation. The steps may include: The autopsy is performed as soon as possible following the family's consent. It is performed by a specially qualified doctor, called a pathologist, who is assisted by a technician.



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