Re: Post mortem's on certain deaths - why?
PM's are done in a range of circumstances to identify the exact cause of death. In all cases of questionable, suspicious or unexplained deaths ie. murder/manslaughter/road traffic accidents they are automatically done to identify the cause of death. There would also be an evidence component to a PM - as this is necessary for criminal prosecutions, coroners courts and for death certificates. PM's are automatically conducted in sudden death cases where the death occurs within 24 hours of admission (I think thats the period) - also where the deceased was not attended to by a doctor prior to admission and becoming deceased. In these type of incidents the deceased body becomes the property of the state - and what this means in that the state has the right to conduct a PM without seeking the permission of the family or next of kin. GP's can also request PM's prior to signing death certificates on cause of deaths in the community. Doctors frequently request PM's to get answers - where for instance the progression of the disease was rapid and aggressive - permission of the family is generally obtained in these instances.