An autopsy is the scientific postmortem examination of the body of a deceased person performed to determine the cause and manner of death, usually for medicolegal purposes. Autopsies are performed on decedents whose deaths affect the public interest. This postmortem examination may include the least invasive to most invasive methods based on the expertise and judgment of the forensic pathologist handling the case. Least invasive methods include, but are not limited to, external examination without the dissection of the body except that which is necessary for the procurement of blood or bodily fluids for toxicological or other analysis. Most invasive methods include, but are not limited to, dissection of the dead body and the examination of bone, tissue, organs, and foreign objects.
