Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:29
Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
Published on: December 18, 2016
Repeat autopsies on corpses from abroad. A futile effort?
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Second autopsies on foreign corpses in Athens revealed discrepancies in 10 of 59 cases. This highlights the importance of thorough forensic examination for international transfers to ensure accurate cause of death determination.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Public Health
Background:
- International transfer of deceased individuals presents unique forensic challenges.
- Second autopsies are often requested by families for foreign deaths, sometimes leading to disappointment due to lack of new information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility and findings of second autopsies on corpses transferred to Athens and Piraeus Morgue from abroad.
- To determine the frequency of discrepancies in cause of death between initial external findings and subsequent Greek autopsies.
Main Methods:
- Review of 59 cases involving second autopsies performed on foreign-sourced corpses.
- Comparison of initial autopsy findings or assumed causes of death with results from autopsies conducted in Greece.
Main Results:
- In 10 out of 59 cases (approximately 17%), the cause of death determined by the second autopsy in Greece differed significantly from the initial findings or assumptions.
- Many second autopsies provided no new information for grieving relatives, often initiated by legal or personal advice.
Conclusions:
- Despite frequent lack of new information, second autopsies on international transfers are crucial.
- A significant minority of cases reveal discrepancies, underscoring the necessity of thorough forensic examination upon arrival in Greece for all imported corpses.
