What happens during an autopsy? Can someone refuse an autopsy on their loved one?

Question

I know it's a morbid question but is it true they open up the body to take out all the organs to weigh. Including the brain? Why do they want to weigh the organs?

Answer 1

If you're in the UK, a post-mortem is carried out at the coroner's order if there is any uncertainty about the cause of death. i.e. a doctor has been unable to sign a death certificate which will be the case with a violent or sudden death.  You cannot refuse a coroner's order.

The pathologist will do enough to be able to confirm the cause, quite often that does not involve going "all the way".

Answer 2

In an autopsy, organs that would show effects from poisoning, in particular the brain, liver and kidneys are removed.  Tissue samples are taken and cells are examined to make certain that there was no "hanky-panky" with regard to the cause of death.

The lungs and trachea are examined for water.  Muscles around the neck are examined for bruising.  If there are marks on the skin, then the regions inside the body near those marks are examined.  The intestines are examined for poisons.

So, all in all, the corpse can be very cut up.

However, if a person dies in the hospital and was,for 24 hours or more, under the care of a doctor, autopsies are normally not done.

An autopsy is a legal procedure when there is the potential that something illegal has occurred to cause the death.  It is not done 100% of the time.  An autopsy must be ordered by a court and, if so, cannot be refused.  Many times families request an autopsy as autopsies frequently reveal a lot more about the person that may have led to their death.

Here is a good little website that will answer many of your questions:

http://www.pathguy.com/autopsy.htm

Answer 3

Yes you can refuse.

However if a coroner orders it then you can't

Weighing organs can give information about disease and cause of death.

Answer 4

An autopsy is required to find out cause of death. The cause of death is needed for the death certificate.

I'm afriad it's out of your hands.

However, you can refuse organ donations.

Answer 5

i think the jewish and jehovah witness can refuse on the grounds of religion

Answer 6

If an autopsy is ordered as the result of a suspicious death, I don't think you CAN refuse.

If an autopsy is requested in order to further medical knowledge, I don't think you SHOULD refuse.

As to what actually happens during an autopsy, this must surely depend on where and why it is carried out. I am open to correction, but do not think that normally the process would be anywhere near as grisly as you think.

Answer 7

Yes they weigh the organs including the brain. They can tell by the weight of them of abnormalities. You can refuse an autopsy but not if foul play is involved or suspected.

Answer 8

No, an autopsy cannot be refused if it was ordered by the medical examiner or coroner.  The coroner has the highest held elected position, and no one can overrule his/her decision to autopsy, even if your religious beliefs are against it.  An autopsy can and will be performed, regardless of any objections by the family if the coroner orders one.  A medical autopsy (done for medical research) can be refused.  Organs are removed, weighed and then placed in a bag which is then placed back into the body cavity.  Often times the brain is also removed, weighed, dissected and then also placed in the bag with the other organs, but depending on what they are looking for, sometimes the brain is not removed.