Hospital (Non-Coronial) Post-Mortem

Testing Laboratory

Department

Forensic Pathology/Mortuary

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

TWOR

Test Code (Numeric Code)

9044

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

N/A

Synonyms

postmortem, post-mortem, post mortem, autopsy, mortuary, forensic pathology

Turnaround Time

0 days

The postmortem is typically carried out the day after the deceased is received, excluding weekends. The report is then available within 90 days following the postmortem.

Specimen Type

• N/A

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Adult hospital post-mortems are only conducted Monday-Friday.

To arrange a perinatal autopsy or for all other information regarding perinatal deaths, call the National Perinatal Pathology Service at 0800 PERI PAT (0800 737 4728).

To arrange an adult hospital post-mortem, contact the Forensic Pathology service by calling the hospital switchboard using the number below and ask to be connected to the On-Call Forensic Pathologist.

Hospital post-mortems must only be requested when the cause of death is known.

A death certificate must be completed prior to the commencement of a hospital post-mortem examination. If the cause of death is unknown, and the death certificate cannot be completed then the death must be referred to the Coroner as this is a legal requirement in cases where the cause of death is unknown.
Please see test "Coronial Post-Mortems" for when referral to the Coroner is required.

Requirements for a hospital post-mortem are:
1. Complete hospital records must be available for the pathologist to review prior to the post-mortem. If these are not available, then the post-mortem will not be performed. Photocopies of medical records are not acceptable. Access via electronic records is acceptable.
2. Completed CR0025 form (Adult/Paediatric Post-Mortem Consent)
3. The death certificate must have been completed electronically via Death Docs, and a physical copy of the death certificate available for the pathologist to review.
4. Contact details of the medical practitioner requesting the post-mortem must be made available to the pathologist.
5. A phone call with the Pathologist must take place to discuss the request for the hospital post-mortem including the clinical need and scope of the examination

Hospital post-mortem reports can be obtained through the Forensic Administrator at extension 21735 or via ak-forensicadmin@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Resources

• CR0025 Post Mortem Consent (Non Coroners) (194 KB)
• Death Documents Website
• Coroner's Act 2006 (896 KB)

Contact Information