The medicolegal autopsy

Considerable disparity exists from area to area in the United States in the quality of medicolegal investigation. Much of this type of investigation in this country is still conducted by physicians in general practice, who possess neither specialized medicolegal training nor experience. Forensic autopsies are being performed mostly by hospital pathologists without forensic expertise, who conduct these autopsies in their spare time or as a paid hobby. This article provides guidelines for improved medicolegal investigation and formulation of autopsy reports, including opinions, which have been found to be advantageous in a medicolegal setting of a major metropolitan area and are, in my opinion, also applicable to smaller, even rural, types of jurisdiction.