What types of deaths will an autopsy be performed?

Under What Circumstances Will an Autopsy be Performed?

• The death is known or suspected to have been caused by apparent criminal violence.
• The death is unexpected and unexplained in an infant or child.
• The death is associated with police action.

Would perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death?

In jurisdictions where there are medical examiner systems, forensic pathologists are usually employed to perform autopsies to determine cause and manner of death. What is a pathologist? A pathologist is a physician trained in the medical specialty of pathology.

How is cause of death determined without autopsy?

Medical examiners and coroners commonly determine cause and manner of death without an autopsy examination. Some death certificates generated in this way may not state the correct cause and manner of death. Most presumed and actual causes of death were cardiovascular (94\% and 80\%, respectively).

Who determines whether an autopsy is performed?

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.

What can an autopsy determine?

An autopsy (also known as a post-mortem examination or necropsy) is the examination of the body of a dead person and is performed primarily to determine the cause of death, to identify or characterize the extent of disease states that the person may have had, or to determine whether a particular medical or surgical …

Who determines if an autopsy is needed?

Autopsies that are ordered by authorities are performed and evaluated in the medical examiner’s office or coroner’s office. If an autopsy is not required by law or ordered by authorities, the deceased person’s next of kin must give permission for an autopsy to be performed.

Can cause of death be determined without an autopsy?

In what cases are autopsies required?

In most states, autopsies may also be ordered if there is a belief that the death represents a significant public health concern (such as from a threatening infectious disease), if a person inexplicably dies who was not under medical care, who was receiving medical care from a physician for less than 24 hours, or if a …

Can a cause of death be determined without an autopsy?

Accuracy of cause of death determination without forensic autopsy examination Medical examiners and coroners commonly determine cause and manner of death without an autopsy examination. Some death certificates generated in this way may not state the correct cause and manner of death.

Can a coroner tell if someone has died from a heart attack?

Well, the Coroner cannot tell just by looking at someone. If the deceased had a primary physician that was treating him/her for heart problems like heart disease, the Coroner might make a guess that death was caused from a heart attack.

How is a heart attack determined to be the cause of death?

The most accurate method of determining that a heart attack was the cause of death is an autopsy. The pathologist performs a head to toe external physical exam prior to making a Y incision that runs from each shoulder to the sternum then directly down to the pubis.

What is the most accurate way to determine the cause of death?

Answer Wiki. The most accurate method of determining that a heart attack was the cause of death is an autopsy. The pathologist performs a head to toe external physical exam prior to making a Y incision that runs from each shoulder to the sternum then directly down to the pubis.