Why an autopsy?

[Kimba]

I did not want to contaminate the thread that is for paying respect to Meleanie.

I have a question. When the cause of death is so obvious, why is there a need for an autopsy?

[HiredGoon]

I did not want to contaminate the thread that is for paying respect to Meleanie.

I have a question. When the cause of death is so obvious, why is there a need for an autopsy?

Maybe as part of toxicology testing, for one thing? Just guessing here.

[Karl/PA]

Standard in cases of violent death.

[tlgpa]

Perhaps to see if drugs or alcohol was involved.

Was the cause of death obvious? You could be strangled and shot afterwards. While the shooting appears obvious, the cause could be something else.

[jcabin]

History has proven there are too many reasons to have an autopsy when a murder is involved.

[MTechnik]

I think the autopsy is required any time someone dies and they are not directly under doctor care (read: hospital or hospice.)

It is too easy to 'mislead' with superficial evidence. One example - sure someone might have a noose around their neck and their peenor in their hands, but you should still check to make sure they weren't drugged before they were put in that position, or if they have subtle signs of struggle that might not be noticeable by the people cutting down the AutoErotic Asphyxiator.

[Paradigm]

Everyone has pretty much nailed it.

What kind of wacked out person would kill his wife and himself in front of his kids? That person is:

- a coward
- mentally messed up
- on serious drugs/alcohol

An autopsy can help clear it up so we can make an attempt and understanding such a senseless crime.

[GuyMontag]

While probably not applicable here, the murder may be to cover up something else that could uncovered in an autopsy.

If a murder were staged to look like a murder suicide, but was actually a double murder, it might be revealed in a thorough autopsy.

[larrymeyer]

I think the autopsy is required any time someone dies and they are not directly under doctor care (read: hospital or hospice.)

It is too easy to 'mislead' with superficial evidence. One example - sure someone might have a noose around their neck and their peenor in their hands, but you should still check to make sure they weren't drugged before they were put in that position, or if they have subtle signs of struggle that might not be noticeable by the people cutting down the AutoErotic Asphyxiator.

I believe its a state law if your not under a doctors care or if the death is criminally related

[adymond]

It would also be helpful if there were multiple wounds on both (I really hope she got a shot off and hit the fucker) they would need to determine which life ending wound was fired from where and who that would correlate to. Did he shoot her then go look at internet porn while he was drinking to sack up enough to off himself?

Knowing Meleanie's relationship with the local LEO and her husband being "one of them" I sure hope there isn't an attempt to make it look as though Meleanie was the shooter.