Postmortem artefacts in sudden cardiac death: A forensic case report

Sudden cardiac death is a major forensic challenge because it can occur unexpectedly in apparently healthy individuals and postmortem artefacts may complicate interpretation. We report the case of a 28-year-old male who was found deceased, with autopsy revealing critical coronary artery blockages alongside insect-related postmortem artefacts. These artefacts initially mimicked antemortem injuries, but careful examination distinguished them from actual pathology. Comprehensive ancillary investigations including histopathological examination that confirmed the gross autopsy findings, and a full toxicological screen yielding negative results corroborated the diagnosis of coronary insufficiency as the cause of death. This case underscores the importance of meticulous autopsy protocols in recognising postmortem changes, preventing misdiagnosis, and ensuring accurate determination of the cause of death in suspected cases of sudden cardiac death.