ABSTRACT
In England and Wales there are two key sets of legislation that govern autopsies: The Human Tissue Act (HTA) 2004; and the Coroners Act 1988. This chapter provides information on each of these and what they mean, both for the professionals undertaking post-mortem examinations and for the families of the deceased. The HTA’s role extends to ensuring that post-mortems and the removal and retention of any tissue are undertaken on suitable premises licensed for that purpose and with appropriate consent. The chapter explains where the post-mortem and any removal and subsequent storage of organs and tissue are authorised by the coroner, and where there is retention of tissue beyond the coroner’s remit as part of a homicide investigation by the police. A hospital post-mortem should be considered or requested only where the cause of death is already known in sufficient terms for the clinician to have completed a medical certificate as to the cause of death.
