🚀 go-pugleaf

It is not unusual for even the most detailed autopsy not to determine
the cause of death.  Like any test or examination, autopsies have
their limitations.   As indicated in a previous reply, there are
many factors which can impact on the likelihood of determining
the cause of death.  Complex medical problems, the presence of
co-existing active disease, the part of the body involved, and so
on.   The issue of clot lysis is probably valid.  Also, fatal
abnormalities of the heart's rhythm are not measurable on
autopsy.  

Data available about the known health problems of the deceased
can provide clues about cause of death.  However, the purpose of
the autopsy is to look for objective evidence of disease and to
avoid speculation. 

Unfortunately, the popular media tends to give the message
that an autospy is virtually always revealing of an exact cause
of death.

JPS



>When an autopsy is performed and there is no cause of death given, is
>it stilll possible to extrapolate from the existing data ?
>what are the possibilities of an undetectable cause ?
>i've been told, for example, that if a heart attack is caused  by a
>clot and the person dies rapidly, the clot may not remain until the
>time of the autopsy and the enzimes usually associated with heart
>attacks are not present. I would appreaciate any information connected
>with this subject matter or if someone knows where to pursue this -
>thank you-mrt
>