Autopsy & 2nd opinions

Many questions related to medical diagnosis and treatment can be answered by careful examination of tissues and biological specimens, including laboratory analysis of blood and other body fluids

In death situations, the forensic autopsy provides the most comprehensive and accurate method of determining what mechanisms led to the ultimate outcome for the patient.

Even though an initial autopsy may have been already performed, a second independent analysis may be helpful—particularly if the first autopsy was done in the hospital where the patient was treated.

A second independent autopsy can effectively add to the diagnosis and remove the perception of a possible conflict of interest that may occur during the in-hospital autopsy situation

It is often recommended that a patient seek a ‘2nd opinion’ when there may be a question as to the medical diagnosis and treatment plan proposed by a treating physician. This same rationale applies in situations where there is an unexpected death during medical care and treatment.

The actual performance of a second autopsy, or critical review of an initial autopsy—including report, photos, and tissues studied subsequent to the autopsy, as well as microscopic sections—may result in a more comprehensive and objective explanation of the reasons for the ultimate outcome.