An autopsy is a medical procedure that consists of a thorough examination performed on a body after death, to evaluate disease or injury that may be present and to determine the cause and manner of a person's death.

The decision about an autopsy occurs at a difficult time for most families since they have just lost a loved one. Counselors or members of the clergy who specialize in bereavement services may be available to help families through the process. Family members may consider an autopsy:

• When a medical condition has not been previously diagnosed.
• If there are questions about an unexpected death that appears due to natural causes.
• If there are genetic diseases or conditions that they also may be at risk for developing.
• When the death occurs unexpectedly during medical, dental, surgical, or obstetric procedures.
• When the cause of death could affect legal matters.
• When the death occurs during experimental treatment.

For more information, see:

Should I have an autopsy done on my loved one?

An autopsy may be required in deaths that have medical and legal issues and must be investigated by the medical examiner's or coroner's office, the governmental office that is responsible for investigating deaths that are important to the public's health and welfare. Deaths that must be reported to and investigated by the medical examiner's or coroner's office include those that have occurred:

• Suddenly or unexpectedly, including sudden natural death, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or death of a person who was not under the care of a doctor at the time of death.
• As a result of any type of injury, including suicide, homicide (murder), a motor vehicle accident (MVA), drug overdose, or poisoning.
• Under suspicious circumstances.
• Under other circumstances defined by law.

In some of these deaths an autopsy may be required, and the coroner or medical examiner has the legal authority to order an autopsy without the consent of the deceased person's family (next of kin). If an autopsy is not required by law, it cannot be performed until the deceased person's family provides permission.

An autopsy is generally performed by a doctor (pathologist) who has training and expertise in the examination of body tissues and fluids.

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Why It Is Done

An autopsy is done to:

• Determine as precisely as possible what caused the death. This can provide family members with information about diseases or conditions that they also may be at risk for developing.
• Confirm or exclude a disease diagnosis made before death (such as Alzheimer's disease). An autopsy also may be done to help understand how a given disease progresses or to determine the effectiveness of the treatment for that disease.
• Document the presence of a disease that was undiagnosed before death.
• Collect samples of body fluids or tissues for possible genetic testing. This is generally done only after discussion with the deceased person's family.
• Collect evidence and information in criminal cases.
• Help health departments or other government agencies identify and track a disease or potential public health hazard (such as a suspected contagious disease or contaminated drinking water).