Incidental Genetic Findings Discovered During Autopsy: An Ethical Analysis of Patient Confidentiality Post-Mortem

Protections for patient confidentiality during life prove essential for effective healthcare. However, post-mortem, these protections can cease. Postmortem, technological advancements enhance autopsy evaluations but also contribute to incidental findings during autopsy. An incidental finding, unrelated to the cause of death, can include genetic conditions which can have significant implications for family members of the deceased. The ethical and legal implications of disclosing incidental findings with genetic components to family members of a deceased patient are evaluated in this research and advance directives are explored as a possible solution to protecting patient confidentiality post-mortem.