What is a Post-Mortem Examination?
A post-mortem examination is also called an autopsy. It is a range of studies and usually some dissection performed on a deceased body and it may be conducted for a variety of reasons. Typically doctors or coroners conduct a post-mortem examination to determine cause of death, either from a medical or potentially legal standpoint. Autopsies and dissections can also be performed as part of study in the medical profession, so that students can learn and identify the various internal structures of the body, and view organs or internal structures that show signs of certain diseases. Veterinarians can also conduct autopsies on animals, and may do so if they suspect disease hazardous to other animals, or at the request of the animal’s owner.
