A post mortem examination or autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death following an unnatural death.
1. When it's performed:
Post-mortems are not always mandatory. They are typically requested by a coroner or hospital doctor when the cause of death is suspicious, sudden, or unknown. In some cases, a family member may also request one.
2. The procedure:
The post-mortem is performed by a pathologist, a doctor specialized in the study of disease and injury, often with the assistance of a technician. It involves a thorough examination of the body, including the removal of organs for detailed analysis. Tissue samples and body fluids are also taken for further testing.
3. What happens after:
The pathologist writes a report detailing the findings of the examination, including the cause and manner of death. The body is then returned to the family, and the release papers are issued. The results of the examination, especially microscopic analysis of tissue samples, may take several weeks to be finalized.
4. Why it's important:
Autopsies help to determine the cause of death, which can be crucial in legal investigations, medical research, and helping families understand what happened. They can also help identify diseases or conditions that may have been missed during life.
