I’ve never made a police report for a patient who died from an unknown cause. We usually just refuse to issue a medical cause of death certificate. The police will have to issue an order for a post-mortem examination if there’s no medical cause of death given.

What will hold up in court? Why should this issue go to court? Why is professional advice needed? Care to elaborate?

1. why should we make a police report for an unknown cause of death especially when it is not medico-legal type of case? I have never done so until reaching Selayang
2. can the pathologist refuse a PM on the basis of the deceased HIV or Hepatitis status let alone assumption?
3. I had a young lady who had both thoracic and abdominal injuries. We proceeded with laparotomy which was a simple liver laceration and decided to proceed with a thoracotomy when she flat-lined - - I asked for a PM - I got the run around and at the end the pathologist did a surface PM — that is recorded the external injuries and diagnosed polytrauma!! No proper PM. Is this okay in the court?

1. No need. Just refuse to sign the cause of death.
2. I don’t think the pathologist should refuse on any ground besides medico-legal grounds, e.g. no consent or police order.
3. OIC, will a surface PM hold up in court? I think that is up to the discretion of the court. Not every case needs a full autopsy.