A post-mortem examination, also known as an autopsy, is the examination of a body after death. The aim of a post-mortem is to determine the cause of death. ... Post-mortems provide useful information about how, when and why someone died. They enable pathologists to obtain a better understanding of how diseases spread.

Why is post-mortem necessary?

To document all injuries in order to answer any future questions that is unknown at the time of the autopsy. Who performs the post mortem examination? Post mortem examinations are carried out by doctors specialized and trained in the field of forensic medicine.

Why are autopsies required when a person dies?

An autopsy may be ordered by the coroner or medical examiner to determine the cause or manner of death, or to recover potential evidence such as a bullet or alcohol content in the blood. Policy varies across the United States but typically unwitnessed, tragic, or suspicious deaths require an autopsy.