[Autopsy of accident victims--incidence and criteria for selection]

In a first analysis the frequencies of autopsies in the area district of Karl-Marx-Stadt (Chemnitz) are investigated in respect to types of accident, sex and age groups. Victims of traffic- and working accidents are dissected in far more than 50% of all cases (predominantly with forensic medicine) because of the obvious legal consequences; accident occurring at home or during leisure are paid less attention to. Possible criteria for selection are discussed.