Autopsy how long to get results

The type of the examination needed is considered on a case by case basis depending on the category of death. Preliminary procedures can include a visual examination of the body, reviewing medical records, a CT scan or taking samples from the surface of the body such as hair samples, and perhaps fingerprints, samples of blood, urine and other fluids for testing.

The results of a preliminary examination may determine whether a coroner needs to investigate further including if an autopsy is necessary. Before ordering an internal examination, a coroner must consider concerns raised by a family member or other person with sufficient interest.

The coroner will consider your concerns and then decide whether to order an internal autopsy. If the coroner decides an internal autopsy is necessary, they must give you a copy of the autopsy order. Decisions about organ retention are made after an internal examination has occurred. You will be contacted to ask if you have concerns about organ retention where that has been recommended by the pathologist.

You may wish to seek legal advice about this. After all the test results have returned, the doctor or pathologist prepares an autopsy report for the coroner with their conclusions about the medical cause of death. Family members or other persons with sufficient interest can write to the coroner to request a copy of the autopsy report. It can be upsetting to read an autopsy report, as it contains graphic descriptions and technical medical terminology. You may wish to ask your doctor or another health professional to go through it with you.

Tissues such as heart valves, skin, bone and corneas part of the eye may be donated, depending on the circumstances of the death. Staff at the hospital or someone from Queensland Tissue Banking Program may discuss tissue donation with you. Organ donation can occur only in very special circumstances. A post mortem or autopsy report gives details of the examination of the body. It may also give details of any laboratory tests which have been carried out.

Post mortem reports are technical medical documents. The senior available next of kin or their delegate has the right to receive a copy of the post mortem or autopsy report. They can also decide whether they want the report to be sent to them, their family doctor or the doctor s who cared for their loved one. As the report contains technical language, it is suggested that you make a time with one of these doctors to discuss the report and any implications it may have for you or your family.

During the consent discussion, the details of the person who is to receive the report will be recorded on the consent form. Once the post mortem or autopsy report is available, a copy will be posted to that person. Yes, provided you are the senior available next of kin or their delegate. You should contact the clinical information department of the hospital or facility where the post mortem or autopsy was conducted.

There may be a fee for obtaining a copy of the report. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Skip to content Contact us Emergency information. Home Human tissue Frequently asked questions on post mortem examinations in NSW Human tissue Anatomy and body donation Anatomy facilities, licences and specimens Human tissue not for transplantation Organ and tissue donation for transplantation Post mortem Currently selected.

On this page Post mortem or autopsy What is a post mortem? Is there more than one type of post mortem? How do I know if the person had a coronial or non-coronial post mortem? Non-coronial post mortems Is consent required for a non-coronial post mortem? I am the senior available next of kin but in my culture it is not appropriate for me to make these decisions. Can someone else do it for me? What happens after consent is given for a post mortem? Can I consent to organs being retained for other purposes?

Who conducts the post mortem? The HTA leaflet Post-mortem examination: Your choices about organs and tissue PDF, 68kb gives further information about what happens before, during and after the examination. It regulates organisations that remove, store and use tissue for research, medical treatment, post-mortem examination, teaching and public display.

For many people, understanding the reason for a loved one's death helps them come to terms with their loss. You can also contact the national Cruse helpline on or at a local Cruse centre. Read more about coping with bereavement and coming to terms with the death of a loved one.

Page last reviewed: 29 August Next review due: 29 August When post-mortems are carried out A post-mortem examination will be carried out if it's been requested by: a coroner — because the cause of death is unknown, or following a sudden, violent or unexpected death a hospital doctor — to find out more about an illness or the cause of death, or to further medical research and understanding There are 2 different types of post-mortem.

Coroner's post-mortem examination A coroner is a judicial officer responsible for investigating deaths in certain situations. Coroners are usually lawyers or doctors with a minimum of 5 years' experience. In most cases, a doctor or the police refer a death to the coroner. A death will be referred to the coroner if: it's unexpected, such as the sudden death of a baby cot death it's violent, unnatural or suspicious, such as a suicide or drug overdose it's the result of an accident or injury it occurred during or soon after a hospital procedure, such as surgery the cause of death is unknown The main aim of a post-mortem requested by a coroner is to find out how someone died and decide whether an inquest is needed.

An inquest is a legal investigation into the circumstances surrounding a person's death. In some cases, samples may need to be kept for a number of months, or even years. Hospital post-mortem examination Post-mortems are sometimes requested by hospital doctors to provide more information about an illness or the cause of death, or to further medical research.

When you're asked to give your consent, this will be discussed with you. You should also be given the details of someone to contact in case you change your mind. What happens during a post-mortem A post-mortem will be carried out as soon as possible, usually within 2 to 3 working days of a person's death. In some cases, it may be possible for it to take place within 24 hours. The pathologist will return the organs to the body after the post-mortem has been completed.

If you wish, you'll usually be able to view the body after the examination. What happens after a post-mortem After a post-mortem, the pathologist writes a report of the findings.