What is an autopsy, and how long does it take for the results to be ready?

Nigerians are waiting for the result of the autopsy conducted by the authorities on the late Afrobeat singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, who is also known as Mohbad. Mohbad passed away at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023, and his death has had a significant impact on the country and has generated a lot of interest.

According to a statement from a police spokesperson in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, authorities completed the autopsy a few hours after exhuming Mohbad’s body from where he was buried. The next thing people are eagerly awaiting is the release of the autopsy results.

Because the cause of Mohbad’s death is not clear, authorities are conducting an autopsy as part of their investigation to determine what led to the demise of the late singer.

So, what is an autopsy, and how is it conducted?

What is an autopsy, who can perform it, and when are the results ready?

An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a specialized surgical procedure used to determine the cause and manner of a person’s death.

The cause of death is the medical reason that explains why a patient passed away.

The manner of death refers to the circumstances surrounding the death, according to the Yale School of Medicine and a report from Johns Hopkins University. Information gained from autopsies allows medical professionals to better understand disease processes. It also helps with accurate disease diagnosis, treatment improvement, and potentially aiding other patients suffering from similar diseases.

Why are autopsies performed?

There are various reasons that may necessitate autopsies:

• When a person dies under suspicious or unexpected circumstances.
• In cases of public health concern, such as an outbreak of a disease whose cause is unknown.
• When no doctor is familiar enough with the deceased to determine the cause of death and sign the death certificate.
• When requested by a doctor, the family, or a legally responsible representative of the deceased.

Who can perform an autopsy?

Autopsies ordered by the state are typically conducted by a local coroner, an official who investigates violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths but may not necessarily be a doctor. Autopsies performed by doctors are typically conducted by medical examiners, who are usually pathologists. Pathologists specialize in conducting clinical autopsies.

Another type is a coroner’s autopsy, conducted when a coroner or law enforcement requires information for legal reasons, especially if the death is a result of a crime or is considered suspicious.

How is an autopsy conducted?

The autopsy procedure starts with a general examination and ends with specific investigations:

A visual examination of the entire body is performed, including the organs and internal structures. Microscopic, chemical, and microbiological examinations of the organs, fluids, and tissues are conducted.

The organs removed during the examination are weighed, and samples may be preserved for microscopic analysis. The final autopsy report is prepared after all laboratory tests are completed. Autopsies can last from two to four hours, and the results of laboratory tests on bodily fluids and tissues may take a few weeks to be finalized.

Autopsy Results

An initial report is often available within the first few days, but the comprehensive autopsy results are usually not available until approximately six to 12 weeks later.

Once the autopsy is complete, the deceased’s body can be collected by the family or the designated representative for burial. If some organs are retained for further testing, the funeral may need to be postponed for several days or weeks if the family wishes to have the body returned in its entirety before burial.

What is an autopsy, who can perform it, and when are the results ready?

An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a specialized surgical procedure used to determine the cause and manner of a person’s death.

The cause of death is the medical reason that explains why a patient passed away.

The manner of death refers to the circumstances surrounding the death, according to the Yale School of Medicine and a report from Johns Hopkins University. Information gained from autopsies allows medical professionals to better understand disease processes. It also helps with accurate disease diagnosis, treatment improvement, and potentially aiding other patients suffering from similar diseases.