Role of Histopathology in Medical Autopsies: A 5 Year Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

The term autopsy is derived from the greek word autopsies “to see for oneself” derives from autos (one self) and opsis (“eye”). It is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death, assessment of clinical diagnosis as well as a key educational tool. Various histopathological findings, unrelated to the cause of death are noticed in the routine histopathological examination of the medical autopsies. Present study was conducted on 100 medicolegal cases received in the department of Pathology at GGS medical college, Faridkot in last 5 years (2011–2015). The study highlights the utility and indispensability of histopathological examination of autopsies, without which a complete and accurate diagnosis cannot be made.