Autopsy

What is an autopsy?

An autopsy is a medical examination of a body after death. Autopsies are done to determine cause of death or to verify diagnosis.

Why is an autopsy performed?

Autopsies are performed for several reasons, including the following:

• When a suspicious death occurs

• When there's some public health concern, such as a mysterious disease

• If someone dies unattended by a physician, or if the attending physician is uncomfortable signing the death certificate

• The family of the deceased person can ask the hospital to perform an autopsy

Who performs the autopsy?

Autopsies ordered by the state can be performed by a county coroner, who is not necessarily a physician. A medical examiner who performs an autopsy is a physician, usually a pathologist.

How is an autopsy performed?

Autopsy procedure begins with the general and ends with the specific:

• First, a visual examination of the entire body is done, including the organs and internal structures.

• Then, microscopic, chemical, and microbiological examinations may be made of the organs and tissues.

• All organs removed for examination are weighed, and a section is preserved for processing into microscopic slides.

• A final report is made after all laboratory results are complete.