Can someone make a death look like an accident esp without an autopsy?
929475
i have seen cases which were diagnosed even after 40 years of death and that too when the body of the person was burned using oxy-acytylene flame which is supposed to burn even the bones. so definately the postmaortum report can help in diagnosing, but like all the other fields of medicine, pathology too has it's limitations, and some of the cases remain undiagnosed in autopsy. \nthe common factor responsible in such cases is presence of certain drug or chemicals which are commonly found in human body under normal circumstances but proved fatal for a particular person, e.g if a person who is suffering from heart disease is given high level of atropin can die but yet remain undiagnosed as it disappears rapidly from blood and even if trace elements of it remain, it is safely assumed to be formed by the body. but an experienced pathology can diagnose most of the cases\n\nwell, as per the cost, in most of the cases, the expense is born by the state government
865808
Autopsies are generally performed by medical doctors (MDs).  You have to go to med school and then a residency in pathology to perform autopsies.  \n\nFrom the Univ of Maryland website: Autopsies ordered by the state can be performed by a county coroner, who is not necessarily a physician. A medical examiner who performs an autopsy is usually a pathologist.\n\nThis information may be specific to Maryland and not applicable to the other 49 states.\n\n\nPh.D.s can do medical research, but they do not practice medicine, so they cannot perform autopsies (maybe if they are county coroner in Maryland?).  However, Ph.D.s can analyze data from autopsies, including blood alcohol level and detection of any type of specific compounds.\n\nFinal Note: County coroners are elected officials, who don't necessarily have *any* medical training.  I'd rather have a real pathologist trying to figure out why I died!\n\n\nYou can also perform your own autopsy here:\nhttp://www.le.ac.uk/pa/teach/va/welcome.html
946483
That quite depends on the cause of death.  I have consulted on cases where an autopsy would not show anything that was not known.  \n\nHowever, if she is not buried or cremated yet, it would be best when the case is filed, shows that you are ready to hear the truth and want everything that is truthful to be available.  If the action that constituted the malpractice was documented afterward, you can probably proceed with the suit.  Remember that malpractice suits can be filed even when a patient lives through the incident, but it does require good documentation in the medical records.\n\nIf you would add some details, I will recheck and see if I can be of more assistance.
880263
Before you do anything else, you should obtain a copy of your dad's death certificate and see what the official cause of death was.  If the death was officially listed as suicide, it is likely that any evidence relating to the case - and in some cases any reports - are probably gone.  If that's the case, it is unlikely that you will be able to get the case reopened as their will be no evidence, no reports, nothing...\n\nIf his cause of death is undetermined there may still be police reports and evidence floating around.  It has been 20 years so it is possible that evidence would be gone even under those circumstances.\n\nI have 11 years of law enforcement experience, nearly 4 as a detective.  I have worked on a lot of deaths and have had a few families express concerns about the findings of an investigation.  So far none of these cases have been reopened.  In almost ALL cases, absent of some astounding new evidence, you will find that police departments are reluctant to reopen these cases, instead banking on the finding of the initial investigation.\n\nThe issue relating to the ex-wife's dad being involved in the investigation may be something...  may be nothing.  In a small town it is not uncommon for police to investigate deaths of people they know...even family members.  Try addressing your concern through the police department hierarchy first, then try with a lawyer, then move into areas like the media. \n\nGood luck!
510520
No, not without a body to accompany it. Blood on the floor doesn't necessarrily indicate death either.\nYou can however deduce how long the blood has been exposed to air for (i.e ou of the body for) and then hence determine when a person began to bleed.\n\nJ
555280
not if you die from the disease you are admitted for, my sister died of cancer in hospital and she wasnt given an autopsy. as long as there are no suspicious circumstances.
143721
you don't if you killed someone or was a part of it turn yourself in and have the body taken care of appropriately. I don't think that's the case, I think you are just being an ignorant.
992744
its Independence on the accident it self if there is a body or not
900489
Hoo-ray! A mort. question! It depends:\n\nWhere on you did it fall? Did it fall on your head only? On the mid-section of your body only?\nHead/face wounds, while daunting, are not impossible. I once saw a fellow with a crushed face, (pedestrian vs. tractor), but thanks to hours of work on the part of the mortician, the person was made viewable. Accidents happen every day but unless the body is in so many pieces as to be placed in a show box, viewing can be made possible. The key is TIME. \n\nThe real kicker is how long would your body be out there in the woods under that tree. Is it hot or cold on that fatal day? Raining or sunshine? The conditions around the body and how long the body is left in said conditions have a huge effect on the rate of decomp. There's the kicker, decomp. If the body has reached the level of being bloated, darkened and fly-blown, it will be closed cakset time. \nWhich is not to say that nothing wil be done for you. Unless your family opts for direct creamation, if there is to be any service at all with the body present, the mortician will still treat the remains so as to try and avoid the horrible odors that come of decomp. \n\nSo, your best bet my tree fallen friend for an open casket service,is for someone to come upon your squashed remains within hours of the mishap. \n\nNow, would you like a metal casket or a wooden one? 18 gauge, 20 gauge? You need to be thinking of these things.
285510
I guess it is possible if they hit their head on something and cracked their skull.  I don't know of anyone who has died this way, but it does sound possible.
113086
YES!  By law the immediate family has the right to ask for an autopsy.  The hospital and coroner are probably refusing because they believe the patient died of natural causes.  If you have any doubt, before anything pertaining to a funeral begins, GET AN AUTOPSY!
1171157
Yeah, old age.  But....  When we say that someone old has died of natural causes,  we probably don't know exactly why they died. Did they have a heart attack, a pneumonia leading to sepsis, a dysrrythmia etc...  Part if it is that we don't do as many autopsy  especially if there is no suspicion of foul-play.  Imagine trying to fill out a death certificate on a old person found at home dead.  I can honestly say that when I fill it out, at best its an an educated guess.
934854
If I were you, I would talk to a lawyer. The doctors wouldn't sign the death certificate because it was apparently an "unattended death," which could just prove your point in court. There is a time limit on how long you have after this sort of incident, to file a law suit.
1159784
Nope.\nOne body, one suicide.  Otherwise it would be semi-double jeapordy.\nBesides- how would they be charged for murder if they are dead? =D
347674
If it was not your fault, no.  If it was your fault, you would be guilty of involuntary manslaughter.  But you would not be a murderer.  As for animals, murder does not apply.  I try my best to avoid hitting an animal on the road.  I hit a squirrel a couple weeks ago, it ran right in front of my car before I could even think about doing anything.  I felt bad.
887418
i think it is when it isn't worth doing an autopsy as there person was pretty old, depends on the person and the circumstances. no point cutting up grandma if she died in her sleep and no one killed her
48337
I think it depends on the crime.  If it was premeditated and gruesome, then by all means yes; however, if it was accidental, and unplanned, i.e. like that boy who accidently killed that little girl by performing a wrestleing move on her, then no, but they would need some form of hospitalization.