Investigation into the standard of autopsy procedures performed on Irish nationals worldwide
McLaughlin, L.; Cassidy, M.
Irish Medical Journal 101(4): 102-106
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0332-3102 PMID: 18557510 Document Number: 617840
For the purpose of this study twenty cases, involving the deaths of Irish nationals while abroad, were examined. The aims of the report were 1) to observe whether autopsy guidelines are being implemented by countries throughout the world investigating the deaths of foreign citizens, particularly Irish nationals, 2) to compare/contrast the cause(s) of death established in Ireland and the countries where the deaths occurred and 3) where appropriate, suggest improvements to the current system. The results revealed that where a complete autopsy is not performed then the chance of forming a correct cause of death, or any cause of death, decreases from 100% to 0%. The standard of autopsies on foreign nationals varies from country to country and within countries. Currently there are many different autopsy procedure guidelines available. The time may have come to formulate one universal set of guidelines that are to be implemented worldwide.