[Medico-legal autopsy]

A medicolegal autopsy is a complex medical investigation which must be performed with precision and thoroughness by forensic pathologists who have gained experience in forensic procedures. Since 1999, due to the adoption by the Council of Europe of a recommendation in the harmonisation of medicolegal autopsy rules, forensic pathologists have a standardised protocol for autopsies. This recommendation specifies when and how autopsies should be carried out. This internationally accepted legal instrument is expected to ensure the credibility of medicolegal autopsy reports. Due to its importance as reference document, this protocol must be familiar to any physician dealing with legal medicine.