Obduktion

Obduktion, also known as autopsy, is a postmortem examination conducted to determine the cause and manner of death and to study disease processes. It is typically performed by a licensed pathologist in a morgue or hospital facility. The examination may include an external inspection of the body as well as an internal dissection of organs. In many countries, the results can inform medical care, public health surveillance, and legal investigations.

There are two main types: clinical autopsy and forensic autopsy. A clinical or medical autopsy aims to understand disease and improve clinical knowledge and is usually performed with consent from the deceased or their relatives. A forensic autopsy, conducted under legal authority, investigates unexpected, suspicious, or violent deaths and is often coordinated with a coroner or medical examiner.

The procedure typically involves a systematic external examination, dissection of the body, removal of organs for histological analysis, toxicology, microbiology, and genetic testing when indicated. Tissue samples may be preserved and examined under a microscope. Modern autopsy may also incorporate imaging techniques such as CT or MRI (virtopsy) to minimize physical dissection.

Historically, autopsy has contributed to medical knowledge since ancient times, becoming central to modern pathology in the 19th century. In German-speaking contexts, the term Obduktion is used for the autopsy, while other terms like Leichenöffnung refer to specific procedures or legal investigations. Autopsies may be declined by families, and ethical and legal rules govern consent, documentation, and reporting of findings.