Does an autopsy disfigure the body?

Not that can be seen. The autopsy is performed by means of two surgical incisions. One - the Y incision - from the chest to the abdomen, permits the examination of the heart and lungs and all abdominal organs. The other - the intermastoid incision - from behind each ear, permits examination of the brain. Once the autopsy is completed and the two incisions are sutured closed, they cannot be seen after the body has been prepared for the family viewing.

Does the family need to give permission for an autopsy?

When the death is from natural causes in a hospital, the family must give permission for an autopsy to be performed. If the death may be from unnatural causes - accident, suicide, homicide - then it must be reported to the local coroner or medical examiner who will decide whether an autopsy should be performed and usually does not require family consent.

What is the difference between a coroner and medical examiner?

A coroner is an elected public official whose qualifications usually are that he or she is a citizen of the United States of voting age. Most coroners are funeral directors and non-physicians. A medical examiner is a physician usually appointed by a government official. A minority are forensic pathologists who specialize in investigation of unnatural death. About one-half the country is under coroner jurisdiction.

Who does an autopsy?

Pathologists do autopsies. Most are hospital-based and specialize in the evaluation of natural diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke and are not trained to investigate unnatural death. Less than 2% of the pathologists are forensic pathologists who have advanced training performing autopsies on persons who die of trauma or injury. Most homicide autopsies in this country are performed by hospital pathologists who are not qualified by training to perform such autopsies. For example, that performed on President Kennedy in 1963 which had many mistakes that still fuel conspiracy theories.

How often are autopsies performed?

Less than 10% of all deaths in the United States are autopsied, most under coroner or medical examiner jursdiction.

Does an autopsy on someone who has been evaluated and treated in a hospital and who dies of natural causes tell you anything that you do not already know?

Yes. More than one-third of persons who die in hospitals show significant undiagnosed and misdiagnosed ailments at autopsy.

What information is put on a death certificate?

There is no uniformity in death certificates throughout the United States. The responsibility of the certifying physician or pathologist is to verify the name of the decedent to list the cause of death and to classify the cause of death as to whether it is natural, accident, suicide or homicide. 92% of all deaths in the U.S. are natural. The forensic pathologist specializes in the 8% that are accident, suicide or homicide.

Can you tell by the facial expression of the deceased whether a person died peacefully?

No. All muscles, including facial muscles, relax when we die. The expression on the face at the moment of death disappears after death.

Do hair and nails grow after death?

No. However, the skin dries after we die and retracts which may give the appearance the fingernails and hair have become longer.

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