Post Mortem Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Post Mortem, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Post Mortem?

n.It is a latin word meaning “after death”,an examination of a dead body to ascertain the cause of death,also called autopsy.It is conducted on a persons dead body who has died suddenly under mysterious circumstances or by any attack,accident or anything which is not natural.

History and Meaning of Post Mortem

The term "Post Mortem" is derived from the Latin words "post" and "mortem", which means "after death". It refers to a medical examination of a deceased individual's body to determine the cause of death. This process is also known as an autopsy.

The origins of post mortem examinations can be traced back to ancient times when physicians and historians performed them to figure out the causes of significant events or to learn more about human anatomy. However, these practices were often carried out without proper regulations, which resulted in unethical practices. The proper use of autopsies came much later in the 18th century.

Examples of Post Mortem

  1. The doctor performed a post mortem examination to determine the cause of death of the deceased patient.
  2. A post mortem was conducted on the victim's body after a crime was committed to gather evidence.
  3. The family allowed a post mortem examination to be conducted on their loved one's body to seek closure and to understand the circumstances surrounding the death.

Legal Terms Similar to Post Mortem

  1. Coroner's inquest: A legal inquiry conducted by a coroner to determine the identity of a deceased individual and the cause of their death.
  2. Death certificate: A legal document that includes information about the deceased individual, such as their name, date and place of death, and cause of death.
  3. Forensic autopsy: An examination of a deceased individual's body aimed at collecting evidence for criminal investigations.