Accuracy and validity of determined cause of death and manner of death following forensic autopsy prosection

AimsThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the determination of cause of death (COD) and manner of death (MOD) at the completion of the forensic autopsy prosection. MethodsWe analysed 952 autopsy cases conducted from 2019 to 2020 and compared every patient's COD, other significant contributing factors to death (OSC), and MOD after prosection to their COD, OSC and MOD after completion of the final autopsy report. ResultsWe found that 83% of cases (790 patients) did not have an unexpected change and 17% of cases (162 patients) exhibited a true change in their final diagnosis; the relationship between age and changes in COD and MOD was significant. ConclusionsOur findings indicate that in the majority of forensic autopsy cases, medical professionals can reasonably complete death certification after the autopsy prosection. In addition to improving the accuracy of COD and MOD, advances in this field will enhance timely decedent affairs management, timely investigations of crimes and timely closure to families who have lost loved ones. We recommend implementing combined interventional education and consultation with expert pathologists, and a well-followed structured method of death classification as the best course of practice.

Automated summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and validity of determining the cause and manner of death at the completion of forensic autopsies. By analyzing 952 autopsy cases conducted from 2019 to 2020, the researchers compared the cause of death, other contributing factors, and manner of death determined during the autopsy prosection to those determined after the final autopsy report. The study found that in the majority of cases, medical professionals can reasonably determine the cause and manner of death after the autopsy prosection.