Autopsies - why?

[mikester]

So, yeah - every time we hear about someone dying the next sentence is 'the autopsy is scheduled for...'

Why?

I mean I understand in some instances where there is some mystery that an autopsy might be interesting but if there is no real mystery and no foul play - is it something that HAS to happen?

Personally - and this has been my feeling for some time - I don't want one. I have feelings about the human body - mine and my families in particular that if there are no real questions about the death that have some legal or pressing medical need of answer - leave my body alone. Maybe it is my general fear of dying - doesn't matter. I don't feel the process is respectful of the deceased (not through any ill will of the Doctors it's just the way it is). I know the Doctors don't intend any harm by doing it and I know it is educational - I just don't want it done to me and mine.

Today I heard that they helicoptered MJ's dead body from the hospital to the coronor's office. I don't really get why we needed to spend that money (I'm sure tax payers paid that but I could be wrong) to get him their through the crowds so quickly.

Is it so important that we know every little detail in the cause of death?

[slodave]

There is a rumor that Rx pills may have had a little to do with this.

That aside, he was only 50, rather young to die. I think even though it is clear that this was a fairly natural death, the family would also like to make sure that there was no foul play.

RE: taxes - Look at Carradine, the Thai people paid for his primary autopsy.

[azasadny]

Many things are discovered during autopsies that Dr's really need to know. For instance, aneurysms were once thought to be rare, but many autopsies found those and they weren't the cause of death, so now Dr's know that an aneurysm isn't as rare as they once thought and surgery may not be required.

In the Navy, we performed an autopsy on every sailor/Marine who died and we learned something from every one.

[azasadny]

Many things are discovered during autopsies that Dr's really need to know. For instance, aneurysms were once thought to be rare, but many autopsies found those and they weren't the cause of death, so now Dr's know that an aneurysm isn't as rare as they once thought and surgery may not be required.

In the Navy, we performed an autopsy on every sailor/Marine who died and we learned something from every one.

[Sonic dB]

What if someone poisoned him? What if it was Murder?


I know that is unlikely in this case...but when a famous person like this dies suddenly...and autopsy does need to be performed., if for anything other than a legal closure to the situation.

IMO, they will most likely find some "anti-depressants" in his system probably in a combo form like Heath Ledger...along with something that they will call "progressive cardiomyopathy" which in other words would be a chronic deteroriation of the heart / cardio system due to a combination of genetics, inactivity, lifestyle and circumstance.

but yeah...they do need to find it out for sure

[on2wheels52]

The locals routinely do an autopsy on anyone who dies 'young' if the cause of death hasn't been determined. If for no other reason than to eliminate 'foul play' as a cause.
Jim

[Sonic dB]

New information on Vegas entertainer Danny Gans Death:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090626/ap_on_en_ot/us_danny_gans

52 years old, young looking and apparently in good health...but the autopsy shows that there were precipitating factors involved.

[Pazuzu]

Kind of an aside, but all of the other threads are locked up...

Why didn't someone like MJ have a veritable TEAM of doctors around all of the time? AEDs in every wing of the house, doctors on site, etc? He struck me as the type (in a Howard Hughes-y kinda way) that would have at least a few people around the house all the time that were well versed in CPR and/or AED use. Could he have been kept alive if someone had slapped an AED on him immediately? Who knows...

[cmccuist]

It seems like it was in everyone's interest to keep him alive. Didn't he owe a lot of money to a lot of people? Wasn't that the whole idea behind the new concert tour?

If his death was something nefarious, the only motive I can think of is revenge. Maybe a parent who didn't get paid. Or maybe it was one of the original Jackson 5 who was bitter that MJ got all the pub.

Has anyone confirmed Tito's and Jermaine's whereabouts? What about Jackie and Marlon? And Janet and LaToya? Also, that dad was a real a-hole. Maybe he got tired of answering that question "why is Michael such a freak?"

[Zef]

Newspapers sale...and peoples will buy them....!

[M.D. Holloway]

He was off'd by 'The Order'...

[mikester]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

He was off'd by 'The Order'...

You mean the 'royal order of buffaloes'?

[LakeCleElum]

For us common folks, police and fire usually respond to a death that does not occur in a medical physical. Police will call the ME's office and give the details known at the time. If the victim was seeing a doctor, the ME will call the doctor and see if he/she had some sort of a "condition". If no known condition and the person is young, ME responds and takes them in for an Autopsy.

If the ME is convinced it was natural, a release is given and a funeral sends out the meat wagon.

[willtel]

Don't insurance companies also have a need to find a true cause of death? I know in some cases like suicide and murder they can deny claims to benefactors.

[KaptKaos]

Because the guy OD'd and his personal physician is now in hiding, that's why.

Crimes were committed here just like Anna Nicole Smith's death.

[Noah930]

Obviously, not every dead person gets an autopsy (a.k.a. post-mortem). There are certain criteria that qualify. I believe they vary state-by-state, but usually they follow the same concepts: anyone who dies unexpectedly, murder/suicide, death by traumatic accident, or within 48 hours (or something like that) of an elective surgery, or within 48 hours of admission to a hospital, due to suspicious circumstances, found dead, etc. Then, the physician or hospital MUST call the medical examiner to pass on the pertinent info. Usually, the M.E. will pass on the case (and that needs to be noted in the chart). Occasionally the M.E. will take the case (at his/her discretion). Usually that only happened to trauma patients.

If a deceased person is not subject to the criteria for a M.E. exam, or if the M.E. passes on the opportunity and the family wants a post-mortem (and I believe you're obligated to ask the family-if available-of every deceased person), then the family can have it done (usually by the hospital's pathologist) at their cost.

[scottmandue]

Dude... you get to cut up a dead body... what needs to be explained... dude!

[craigster59]

I have a friend who does them. Mostly for malpractice, nursing home abuse, insurance claims,etc.

If anyone in So. Cal wants to watch one, it can be arranged (no picture taking please).
http://www.1800autopsy.com/