A post-mortem is the examination of a body after death, it is also known as an autopsy.

There are two types of post-mortem examination: 

• coroners instructed examination
• hospital consented examination.

The vast majority of post-mortem examinations are conducted under the authority of the coroner, when the death is unexpected or sudden, or of unknown cause. The consent of the family is not required in these cases. Occasionally, a post-mortem examination is requested by a clinician or clinical team, who wish to find out more about the illness of the person who has died. These are referred to as hospital or consented post-mortem examinations, because the consent of the family, or the person before they died, is required for the examination to take place.

Any questions you may have about requesting a postmortem should be raised during your discussion with the medical examiners officer.