Journal article
The National Association of Medical Examiners Position Paper: Second Autopsies
The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, Vol.44(3), pp.e91-e96
09/2023
DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000853
PMID: 37463353
Abstract
Abstract Second autopsies are uncommon in the United States yet are of significant public value. A second autopsy may be sought when the first autopsy findings are disputed, considered biased, or inadequately communicated. Second autopsies are technically and interpretatively difficult and usually rely heavily on investigative information, first autopsy findings, and additional documentation from the first autopsy. Medicolegal second autopsies should be performed only by experienced, board-certified forensic pathologists. Pathologists performing second autopsies should acknowledge and disclose the limitations of second autopsies. The first autopsy pathologist should recognize the quality assurance value of a second autopsy and fully disclose autopsy documentation to the second autopsy pathologist, if permitted by jurisdictional law.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The National Association of Medical Examiners Position Paper: Second Autopsies
- Creators
- Sally S. Aiken - Retired Medical Examiner, Spokane, WAMarcus Nashelsky - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, Vol.44(3), pp.e91-e96
- DOI
- 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000853
- PMID
- 37463353
- ISSN
- 0195-7910
- eISSN
- 1533-404X
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 07/08/2023
- Date published
- 09/2023
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Pathology
- Record Identifier
- 9984446289902771
Metrics
8 Record Views