Autopsy

An Autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist.

A picture of President Kennedy's head and shoulders taken at the autopsy

Eleanor Reinhardt Mills (1888-1922) autopsy diagram by Dr. Otto H. Schultze, M.D

Purpose

The primary purposes of an autopsy are as follows:

• Determination of Cause of Death: The most apparent reason for performing an autopsy is to ascertain the cause of death.
• Medical Research and Education: Autopsies are often used in medical teaching and research to understand disease progression and effects.
• Public Health: Autopsies also contribute to the statistical data on disease prevalence and mortality rates, assisting in the formulation of public health policies.

Procedure

The autopsy procedure consists of several steps:

• External Examination: The first step in the autopsy process is a thorough external examination.
• Internal Examination: After the external examination, the pathologist proceeds with an internal examination.
• Histologic Examination: If necessary, following the gross examination, organs might be further investigated at a microscopic level.

Types of Autopsy

There are three main types of autopsies:

• Forensic or Medicolegal Autopsy: This is performed when the cause of death may be a criminal matter.
• Clinical or Pathological Autopsy: These are performed to diagnose a particular disease or for research purposes.
• Anatomical or Academic Autopsy: These autopsies are performed by students of anatomy for learning and discovering the finer details of human anatomy.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

In most jurisdictions, a physician cannot perform an autopsy without the consent of the next of kin. In cases of sudden, unexplained death or when foul play is suspected, a medical examiner or coroner can order an autopsy without the consent of the next of kin.

See Also

• Forensic pathology
• Histopathology
• Pathology

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