What is an autopsy?
An autopsy is a thorough surgical examination of the body, inside and out, performed to document injuries, diseases, and even normal conditions of the body. The procedure is performed by a medical doctor with special training in recognizing the appearance of injuries and the effects of diseases. All of our doctors are Board Certified in Forensic Pathology. An autopsy usually takes 2-3 hours to perform and is often followed by laboratory tests.
An autopsy is a systemic examination of the body of a deceased person by a licensed physician. At the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office, this physician is a trained Forensic Pathologist. The body is examined externally and internally for presence of disease or injury and appropriate specimens of vital organs and/or bodily fluids are retained for microscopic, chemical, or other tests. These tests are performed following conclusion of the examination and do not delay the release of the body to the next of kin. An autopsy examination does not preclude a viewing by the family at the funeral home.
An autopsy (also known as a post-mortem examination or obduction) 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 treatment has been effective. In academic institutions, autopsies sometimes are also requested for teaching and research purposes. Forensic autopsies are autopsies with legal implications and are performed to determine if death was an accident, homicide, suicide, or a natural event. The word autopsy is derived from the Greek word autopsia: “to see with one’s own eyes.” Autopsies are performed by pathologists; medical doctors who have received specialty training in the diagnosis of diseases by the examination of body fluids and tissues.
An autopsy is a systematic examination of the body of a deceased person by a qualified pathologist. Performance of an autopsy does not interfere with having the body on view at the funeral. The body is inspected for the presence of disease or injury; specimens of the vital organs and/or body fluids may be taken for microscopic, chemical, or other tests. In some instances, an organ such as a brain or heart may be retained for further diagnostic tests. These diagnostic tests are conducted after release of the body to the next of kin. After the body is released to next of kin, a family may contact the Office of Chief Medical Examiner to request the return of any organs and/or tissue specimens. A written record is made of the autopsy findings including the microscopic and laboratory tests, and the reports of consultants. Copies of these reports are available upon request by next of kin or other authorized individuals.
