Can someone make a death look like an accident esp without an autopsy?

Question

If someone died without an autopsy being done,but they were embalmed, and that death is suspicious by family members,but yet the ME stated the person died of a massive heart attack, even without an autopsy, how hard is it to prove if the remains were to be exhumed ? Or is it possible to know the actual cause of death even after months later, or do human remains decompose and it's too late to be exhumed? What is involved in all this, and what are the costs to do this?

Answer 1

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.
the 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

well, as per the cost, in most of the cases, the expense is born by the state government

Answer 2

Allow me. I have exhumed and autopsied bodies that have been in the ground anywhere from 7 months to 24 years. If, and only if the decedent was embalmed will there be good enough preservation to look at the soft tissues of concern. However, both embalming and decomposition can render toxicology testing less than optimal, not necessarily render them useless, however.

Okay, now IF you want to have someone exhumed, you *MUST* be either the legal next-of-kin, or you must go through the court system to get that done. Once you have either the next of kin or court's authorization to do so, you need to locate a pathologist who is willing to accept the case. Most of us have more than enough work to keep us busy, and if the case if to prove malpractice, would want to review medical history before even agreeing to do the case. Costs range from 1500 to 5000 for the autopsy, depending on where you live.

Then you need to schedule the exhumation and autopsy with all the players, such as the cemetery/funeral home people, the pathologist, transport service, re-interment, etc. Those fees will run between 1500 and 3000, again depending on the area and arrangements you can make.

What would be cheaper, perhaps is asking for an opinion from a forensic pathologist, if you can get your hands on the medical records and investigation of the death, prior to undertaking the rest of this.

Now, that being said, do you mind me asking a couple of questions? Why you are interested in this? Do you watch CSI?

Addendum to an answer below: UNLESS you can convince the court there is reasonable chance of this involving a criminal act and that the evidence will help prove that, local or state government will NOT foot the bill.

Answer 3

are you able to dodge them notwithstanding in case you needed. The papers are crammed with them or perhaps the television shows. With the terrosists blowing up bombs in crowded places the papers have warm replica. And the photos are somewhat photograph with each and all of the gory info. i might somewhat have them to no longer tutor the mutiliated bodies and limbs scattered throughout. a minimum of they'd desire to enable the departed have that lots dignity.

Answer 4

human remains dont decompose that quickly but embalming can cause problems.