ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an approach to the autopsy of decomposed bodies before considering occult causes of death by organ system. Many autopsying pathologists are reluctant to perform autopsies on decomposed bodies — perhaps unsurprisingly given the unpleasant sights and smell associated with the examination. The autopsy report should include an estimation of the date of death based on the clinical history and the external examination findings. The concept of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome has emerged to encompass those deaths believed to be of cardiac origin in which no cause of death can be found despite extensive post-mortem investigation. There has been an increasing appreciation and understanding of the fact that genetically based abnormalities in the transport of ions into and out of cardiac myocytes may cause disease and death. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmia that is precipitated by stress, emotion or physical exertion.
