Office of the Chief Coroner About the Office

Why Things Are Done

Why is an autopsy done?

In most cases an autopsy is done to determine the medical cause of death. In some circumstances the coroner may, with reasonable medical certainty, determine the medical cause of death but an autopsy may still be required to determine the manner (natural, accidental, suicide, or homicide).

The autopsy report provides a factual basis for counselling the relatives of the deceased, particularly in cases where there is anxiety around the circumstances of the death or other issues that may arise some time after the death, such as those related to insurance claims.

In rare cases, despite all the testing that is available, no cause of death is found and the coroner may certify both the cause and manner of death as "undetermined."