Why ?

Although the primary reason to perform an autopsy is to determine the cause of death, there are other benefits to individual families, to the practice of medicine, and to the community at large. The benefits include:

•allaying a family's fears about what they could have done to prevent the death

•providing family members information about potential genetic diseases that may have implications for them

•medical education, training and research leading to improved health care

•providing information about preventable causes of disease and accident and other public health hazards

In addition, there are the forensic benefits of investigation of homicide, suspected homicide, other unexplained or suspicious deaths, and deaths apparently due to accident or injury.

Studies have shown that in many cases even when the cause of death seemed clear, the person in fact had medical conditions that were not apparent during their life.

What (exactly is involved in an autopsy) ?

It is a detailed examination of a body and each of its part, not only superficially but also through various tests on tissue in labs. Its purpose is to learn the truth about the person's health during life, and how the person really died. Apparently, autopsies are being performed with decreasing frequently. Where earlier in the century as many as half of all bodies had autopsies performed, now only 5-10 percent of corpses undergo the procedure. Generally, an autopsy is only done when there is some cause of doubt as to the cause of death, although the family of the deceased can always request an autopsy even if the hospital doesn't think it necessary. "Private" autopsies hired by the family generally cost between US$800 and US$2500.

Many autopsy services have a sign, "This is the place where death rejoices to teach those who live." Usually it is written in Latin ("Hic locus est ubi mors gaudet succurrere vitae").

Who ?

A pathologist is a physician with a specialty in the scientific study of body parts. This always includes a year or more learning to do autopsies.  The trained pathologist who performs the autopsy is called the "prosector". During the autopsy the pathologist is assisted by a "diener" - a morgue assistant.

How ?

After the patient is pronounced dead by a physician, the body is wrapped in a sheet or shroud and transported to the morgue, where it is held in a refrigeration unit until the autopsy.

The pathologist first examines the outside of the body. A great deal can be learned in this way. Then he proceeds to the dissection which consists of removing and examining carefully all parts of the body.

The pathologist uses a scalpel for these incisions. There is limited bleeding, since a dead body has no blood pressure except that produced by gravity.

The whole procedure in experienced hands, assuming a fairly straightforward case and no interruptions, has taken about two hours. Complicated cases requiring detailed explorations and special dissections (e.g., exploring the bile ducts, removing the eyes or spinal cord) may take up to four hours.