[Postmortem service in the Russian Federation (state-of-the-art and trends)]

According to the order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Professor O. D. Mishnev is appointed principal pathologist of the Ministry. The principle pathologists of federal districts are Professor I. A. Kazantseva (Central Federal District); Prof. N. M. Anichkov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (North-Western Federal District); Prof. I. S. Derizhanova (Southern Federal District), Prof. T. A. Fedorina (Volga Federal District), Prof. V. L. Kovalenko, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (Urals Federal District); Prof. L. M. Nepomnyashchikh (Siberian Federal District), and Prof. Yu. V. Kaminsky (Far-Eastern Federal District). The above specialists and the principal pathologists of the Health Departments of Moscow and St. Petersburg Prof. O. V. Zairatyants and Prof. M. G. Rybakova make up a working group whose objective is to develop standards of postmortem studies, to coordinate, and to analyze the activities of postmortem services of the country. The role of principal pathologists of the bodies (ministries, departments, committees) of health care of federal districts, republics, territories, and regions is essential. It is necessary to set up a federal organizational-and-methodical center for postmortem studies under the Ministry of Health and Social Development. The chief results of the activities of postmortem services of Russia and federal districts over 6 years (2000-2005) are presented. The shortcomings and trends of postmortem services of the country are outlined.