autopsy
Forensic post-mortem examination establishing cause, manner and identity of death
An autopsy is a forensic post-mortem examination of a dead body carried out in detail in order to establish the cause of death, the manner of death and, in certain cases, the identity of the deceased. The term derives from Greek and means 'to see with one's own eyes', which reflects the basic character of the examination as a direct, physical inspection of the deceased.
Autopsies are used primarily in a forensic or medico-legal context, where legally reliable documentation of the circumstances of death is required. This is typically the case with non-natural deaths, including violent, suspicious or sudden deaths where the precise circumstances are unresolved. The examination is performed by a forensic pathologist or pathologist and may include external inspection, examination of internal organs, tissue samples and toxicological analyses.
There is no international legislation that directly regulates autopsies as such. Instead, the power to order a post-mortem examination and the detailed procedures are laid down in national law. In most legal systems, a prosecuting authority or a judge may order that an autopsy be carried out where crime is suspected or where the circumstances of death are unclear. In some countries, a post-mortem examination may also be mandatory for certain types of death, irrespective of suspicion.
In practice, the autopsy functions as a central means of evidence in criminal cases, where the cause of death and the time at which death occurred may be decisive for the investigation. The results of the examination form part of forensic reports, which may be presented as evidence in court. An autopsy may also serve to dispel suspicion of crime or to confirm a natural cause of death.
The reasons for carrying out an autopsy may vary: it may be necessary in order to identify the deceased, to determine whether the death was an accident, a suicide or a homicide, to uncover the extent of violence or other injuries, or to document the presence of toxic substances or disease. In some cases, relatives may also request a post-mortem examination for other reasons, such as insurance-related or medical questions, but this falls outside the legally required autopsy.
