Autopsy

Why Get an Autopsy? Medical experts and pathologists consider • Saving Lives: Autopsies can enhance our understanding of diseases and how we die, and contribute critical medical knowledge. Forensic pathologists have identified public health emergencies, such as the anthrax terrorist attacks or other lethal infection diseases, as well as public health hazards, such defective cribs that kill babies. • Discovering Hereditary Illness: Autopsies can help family members learn whether a relative died from an undiagnosed or misdiagnosed illness or disease that may be hereditary. Dr. Gregory J. Davis at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine • Providing Legal Evidence: Most of us think of autopsies in relation to homicide cases, but there are other ways in which autopsies can provide evidence for legal action. For example, if an autopsy determines a death to be the result of a work or environmental hazard, it may lead to compensation for family. If an autopsy reveals evidence of medical malpractice, it may be the grounds for a lawsuit. • Easing the Stress of the Unknown: Autopsies can also be an important way for families and loved ones to How to Get an Autopsy In some instances, a person may have specified his or her desire for an autopsy, perhaps in conversation or by signing a personal directive. Most states require permission from a doctor, next of kin or other legally-designated party for the private autopsy to be performed. But with regard to circumstances in which au...

An autopsy is a detailed dissection of a deceased person, done to determine why they died. If you and your family are dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one, you may find comfort in getting answers at this difficult time. But you should also know that autopsies don’t always have to be done. If you do need one, it’s usually both a medical and a legal process.Laws differ state by state. You can ask for an autopsy if you have questions about how a family member died. And sometimes doctors will ask your permission to do one if they have questions. Coroners and Medical Examiners Every local government has an official who records deaths. They’re called either a coroner or a medical examiner. All but a handful of states require medical examiners to be doctors. Coroners may be doctors as well, but don’t have to be. Coroners are usually elected officials. Many of them have no medical training. When an autopsy needs to be done, they rely on a medical examiner. What Happens In an Autopsy? A doctor examines the remains inside and out. They can remove internal organs for testing and collect samples of tissue or bodily fluids such as blood. The exam usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Many times, experts can figure out the cause of death in that time. But in other cases, you might have to wait until a lab can do more tests to look for signs of drugs, poisons, or disease. That can take several days or weeks. In 20 states and the District of Columbia, a pathologist -- a doctor who specialize...

What is an autopsy? An autopsy is a medicalexam of a body after death. Why is an autopsy done? Autopsies may be done for several reasons, including the following: • When a suspicious or unexpected death occurs • When there's a public health concern, such as an outbreak with an undetermined cause • When no doctor knows the deceased well enough to state a cause of death and to sign the death certificate • When the doctor, the family or legally responsible designeeof the deceased person requests an autopsy Who does the autopsy? Autopsies ordered by the state can be done by a county coroner, who is not necessarily a doctor. A medical examiner who does an autopsy is a doctor, usually a pathologist. Clinical autopsies are always done by a pathologist. How is an autopsy done? Autopsy procedure begins with the general and ends with the specific: • First, a visual examof the entire body is done,including the organs and internal structures. • Then, microscopic, chemical, and microbiological exams may be made of the organs, fluids,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 lab tests are complete. • Autopsies may last 2 to 4 hours.The results of lab tests on samples of body fluids and tissues may take a few weeks to be returned.

Recent Examples on the Web The state's chief medical examiner will conduct an autopsy, which is standard protocol, the official said. — Michael Kosnar, NBC News, 12 June 2023 Borneo also said the autopsy will be reviewed by the district attorney, who will determine if criminal charges will be brought. — Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 9 June 2023 Terán had at least 57 gunshot wounds in their body, according to the autopsy by the DeKalb County Medical Examiner ABC News reports, including in the hands, torso, legs, and head. — Melissa Noel, Essence, 6 June 2023 Terán had at least 57 gunshot wounds in their body, according to the autopsy by the DeKalb County Medical Examiner sent to ABC News, including in the hands, torso, legs and head. — Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 5 June 2023 Later, according to one individual familiar with the autopsy, Valencia was diagnosed with a rotational injury to the head that caused a subdural hematoma. — Zoë Bernard, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2023 An autopsy found George died of blunt-force trauma to the head. — oregonlive, 2 June 2023 Last year, hopes of identifying the woman were renewed when a detective looking through the case again discovered a sample from the original autopsy that had not been tested. — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 31 May 2023 In its autopsy of the bank’s collapse, the Fed, which was SVB’s primary regulator, blamed both the central bank’s supervisory shortcomings and SVB management’s missteps. — Allison Morrow, CNN, 15 ...

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• To confirm a medical diagnosis made before the death involving a genetic disease that could affect surviving family members. While advancements have been made in accurately diagnosing • If the death was unexpected — particularly if it occurred during a health-related procedure, such as • When knowing the precise cause of death could impact legal matters, such as payment of an insurance policy. • To further the study, understanding or treatment of a disease in order to possibly benefit others in the future. • The effect of the post-mortem procedure on grieving survivors. An autopsy involves making incisions in the chest and/or skull of the deceased in order to inspect/remove organs, which some loved ones might find an unpleasant idea. • Cultural or religious acceptance. For example, both Orthodox and Conservative Jewish law generally prohibit autopsies because of the belief in the inviolability of the body after death. • Additional financial obligation. The cost of the autopsy might be charged to the family if not ordered by a medical examiner. • Goldman L. Circulation. 137(25):2686-2688. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.033236 • Yale School of Medicine. • PBS. • Oppewal F, Meyboom-de jong B. Fam Pract. 18(3):304-8. doi:10.1093/fampra/18.3.304 • National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Additional Reading • "Rates of autopsy." www.medscape.com. 2012. Medscape.com. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1705948-overview#aw2aab6b3 • "Shoul...