Northern Territory Government

When an autopsy is ordered

An autopsy is a detailed medical examination of a person who has died. It is sometimes called a post-mortem.

A doctor who has specialised to be a forensic pathologist performs the autopsy.

An autopsy can help find out what caused the person’s death, and whether they had any illness or injury.

Throughout the process, the person’s body is treated with respect and care to protect their dignity.

If the senior next of kin does not want an autopsy

The coroner decides whether an autopsy is needed.

Before making this decision, the coroner may consider any concerns raised by:

  • the senior next of kin
  • another family member
  • anyone else with a valid interest.

If you have concerns or you object to an autopsy, you should tell the coroner as soon as possible. You can do this by speaking with:

  • the police
  • the coroner’s office
  • the coroner’s grief counsellor.

The coroner will review your concerns and then decide whether an autopsy should go ahead.

If the coroner decides that an autopsy is necessary, they must write to the senior next of kin explaining why.

If the senior next of kin still wants to stop the autopsy, they have 48 hours to apply to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory for a review of the coroner’s decision - Section 23 of the Coroners Act 1993.

Types of autopsy

The coroner chooses the type of examination based on the circumstances of the death. The options include:

The forensic pathologist may review the person’s medical records and the police initial notification.

If this information clearly shows the cause of death, an autopsy may not be required.

This is a visual examination of the outside of the body. It may include:

  • taking samples from the surface of the body, for example, hair or fingerprints
  • collecting blood, urine or other fluids for testing.

The results may show whether a full internal examination is needed.

This is an internal examination of specific organs or parts of the body only.

This is a thorough examination that includes:

  • the outside of the body
  • all internal organs, including the chest, abdomen and brain.

Testing, analysis and organ retention

During the autopsy, the forensic pathologist may take samples of blood, fluids or tissue for testing.

Tests may include:

  • toxicology - checking blood or urine for poisons, drugs, medication or alcohol
  • histology - examining small tissue samples under a microscope for signs of disease
  • microbiology - testing tissue for infections
  • neuropathology - examining samples of the brain.

In some cases, whole organs may need to be kept for specialist testing. This decision is made after the full autopsy.

You will be notified if any organs need to be retained.

Autopsy report

It can take several months to complete the autopsy report.

Once all test results are available, the forensic pathologist prepares a report for the coroner. The report includes:

  • findings from the autopsy
  • results of all testing
  • the pathologist’s medical opinion on the cause of death.

Family members or others with sufficient interest may write to the coroner to ask for the report to be sent to their doctor or another health professional.

The report is not usually given directly to families because it contains complex medical information that can be misunderstood. Instead, it can be provided to a nominated doctor or health professional who can explain it to the family.

Coroners court