An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem (Latin for "after death"), is an inspection made by a coroner of a dead body to try to identify the cause of death.
Autopsies made by coroners can deliver evidence that can be critical for a wide variety of court cases.
Autopsies are particularly important for cases where a death occurred under suspicious circumstances. The post-mortem can help figure out if there is any evidence of foul play. For example, if a person suddenly died while eating a meal, an autopsy could help to determine if the person was poisoned.
A post-mortem examination typically involves a careful inspection of the body, looking for any signs of damage. Coroners who perform autopsies are specially trained to identify the cause of death.