Post mortem examination – Information
The Coroner has a statutory duty to establish how someone came to die. This
arises if the death was sudden and unexpected or violent.
To assist the Coroner in determining the cause of death, the Coroner has
power to order a post mortem examination. No consent is required for the
examination.
The principle occasions on which the Coroner will order a post mortem are:
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If the death was sudden and unexpected
If the death was violent or unnatural, or if it occurred under
suspicious circumstances
If the death was as a result of an accident
If the death occurred during medical treatment or in hospital
If the Doctor treating the deceased had not seen them within 14
days before their death
Industrial disease deaths
What is a post mortem?
A post mortem examination is the examination of a body after death and can
also be called an autopsy.
Post mortem examinations are carried out at the request of a Coroner,
because the cause of death is unknown, or when a death happens
unexpectedly or suddenly (A Coroners post mortem)
Exceptionally an examination may take place at the request of a hospital, to
provide information about an illness or cause of death, or to advance medical
research (A hospital post mortem)
These medical examinations of the body is to determine how, why and when
someone has died, or providing information about the effect of treatment
given, or the events leading up to death. They can also be useful to better
understand how a disease has spread; or whether the person who died had a
genetically inherited disease. Finding out more about illnesses may help
doctors treat patients in the future.
Post mortem examinations are carried out by Pathologists, trained doctors
who work to standards set by the Royal College of Pathologists and the
Human Tissue Authority.
If a post mortem examination is required by the Coroner, the Coroner’s Officer
will notify a relative or next of kin that this is to take place. In exceptional
circumstances, if you wish a representative to be present you should please
speak to the Coroner’s Officer.
What are organs and tissues?
Organs and tissue are made up of cells. Tissue is a collection of cells with a
specific role. Tissues include blood, blood vessels and muscle. Small
samples or biopsies taken from organs are often classed as tissue. Organs
are made up of more than one type of tissue and have a specific role in the
body. They also have their own structure and blood supply. The body has
many organs including the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and liver.
Why do organs and tissues need to be retained?
In around 20% of adult post mortem examinations and in most paediatric post
mortem examinations, the cause of death is not immediately obvious. A
diagnosis can only be made by retaining small tissue samples of relevant
organs for more detailed examination. The Pathologist may need to retain a
whole organ for a full assessment to allow an accurate diagnosis of the cause
of death to be made. For example, this may be the brain in cases where there
has been a head injury or the possibility of a complex disease like Alzheimer’s
disease or multiple sclerosis, or the heart to confirm disorders like congenital
heart conditions. When this happens the organ or tissue is normally sent to a
specialist unit.
Full assessments often taken weeks, even a few months to complete
depending on the extent of the investigations required. Once they are
complete, the Pathologist will produce a report for the Coroner or the medical
staff responsible for the care of the person before they died.
Tissue samples
Small tissue samples which are needed for further examination are usually set
into blocks made from paraffin wax. These slices are placed onto glass and
stained with a special dye to allow cells to be studied under a microscope.
Organs
If whole organs, part of an organ, or tissue are needed for more detailed
examination, they will normally be treated with a chemical that preserves
them. Samples of the organ or tissue may then be processed into blocks and
slides as described above.
What happens when the post mortem examination is complete?
When the post mortem examination is complete, you will be told whether
tissue samples and organs have been retained.
In the event of a Coroners post mortem the Coroners Officer will speak to you
about any tissue or organs that have been retained. They will seek next of
kin’s instructions as to how they wish the organs and tissue to be dealt with.
The Coroner’s Officer will arrange for this next of kin to receive a form to
confirm their wishes in writing.
Should you not receive a form, please let the Coroner’s Officer know and a
duplicate will be sent out.
Please be aware that whilst blocks, slides and organs may be repatriated to
the body, this may delay a funeral taking place. Slides cannot be cremated.