Autopsy

Question 1

What does autopsy mean?

Answer 1

An examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death

Question 2

What does post mortem mean?

Answer 2

Done, occurring, or collected after death

Question 3

Purpose of a coroner’s PM?

Answer 3

Undertaken at request of Coroner to find out how somebody died

Question 4

Purpose of consent/hospital PM?

Answer 4

Undertaken at request of doctors/relatives to learn more about disease processes/symptoms during life.

The cause of death is ALREADY KNOWN

Question 5

Is consent needed from the family for a Coroner’s PM?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Is consent needed from the family for the consent/hospital PM?

Answer 6

Yes - every part of the autopsy needs consent

Question 7

How common are Coroner’s PMs vs consent/hospital PMs?

Answer 7

Coroner’s –> 95% of PMs

Consent/hospital –> 5% of PMs

Question 8

Do the family receive a copy of PM report after Coroner’s PM?

Answer 8

They can request one but there is a fee

Question 9

Do the family receive a copy of PM report after consent/hospital PM?

Answer 9

Family are offered a meeting and a copy –> more inclusive

Question 10

Coroners and Justice Act 2009 states that a coroner has a duty to investigate a death if:

Answer 10

1. A coroner is made aware a body is in their area

AND

2. There is reason to suspect that:
   a) death was violent or unnatural
   b) cause of death is unknown
   c) death was while in custody or in state detention

Question 11

What is the key point of the Human Tissue Act 2004?

Answer 11

• Regulates the removal, storage and use of human tissue –> regulatory body
• Also created an offence of DNA ‘theft’
• Give approval for organ and bone marrow donations from living people

Question 12

Who can consent (ideally)?

Answer 12

Deceased (if known)

Nominated representative (if appointed)

Then qualifying relationships in descending order (e.g. spouse/partner, parent, brother/sister etc)

Question 13

What makes consent valid?

Answer 13

Must be given VOLUNTARILY, by an appropriately INFORMED person who has the CAPACITY to agree to the activity in question

Question 14

What is on a consent form?

Answer 14

1. Details of people giving and taking consent
2. What is being consented to:
   a) full or limited or non-invasive PM
   b) retention of tissues/organs for research, education etc
3. Dates at which consent can be withdrawn up to

Question 15

What do Medical Certificate of Cause of Death show?

Answer 15

1(a) Disease or condition directly leading to death

(b) Other disease or condition, if any, leading to 1(a)
(c) Other disease or condition, if any, leading to 1(b)

I.e. (a) caused by (b) caused by (c) with (2) hastening death

2. Other significant conditions contributing to death but not related to the disease or condition causing it