[Cause and manner of death in the autopsy material of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, from 2002-2006]. / Todesursachen und Todesarten im Obduktionsgut des Instituts für Rechtsmedizin der JLU Giessen in den Jahren 2002 bis 2006.

ABSTRACT

A retrospective analysis of the autopsy material of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, in the years 2002 to 2006 showed that the Giessen material is similar to that of comparable studies but contains a relatively large share of lethal intoxications and cases with a concrete suspicion of poisoning in which the cause of death was not definitely clarified by further investigations. On the basis of our own results it is demonstrated that additional chemical, toxicological and histological examinations are helpful to determine initially unclear causes of death. In view of the already very low autopsy rates in Germany it is strange that more detailed diagnostic measures are often omitted.