[Autopsies at the boundary between pathology and forensic medicine : Suggestions for interdisciplinary cooperation]

There are many differences between forensic medicine and pathology but also many similarities, as they share a common basis. In this article the characteristics of the forensic autopsy and it's legal foundations are presented. Furthermore, possibilities are discussed for a cooperation between forensic medicine and pathology to increase the rate of autopsies. This could contribute to the legal certainty, to the quality assurance and to the training of physicians.