a preliminary autopsy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary autopsy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial examination of a body to determine the cause of death before a final autopsy is conducted. Example: "The medical examiner conducted a preliminary autopsy to gather initial findings about the cause of death."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

A preliminary autopsy was inconclusive.

The New York Times

Did she die of malnutrition, as a preliminary autopsy suggested?

The New York Times

A preliminary autopsy showed no medical cause for the crash.

The New York Times

A preliminary autopsy found high levels of carbon monoxide in their blood.

The New York Times

Even the number of times that Brown was shot has not been disclosed, despite the completion of a preliminary autopsy.

The New Yorker

A preliminary autopsy was conducted Monday, but the cause of death is being withheld pending additional testing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The film-maker Tony Scott had anti-depressant and sleeping medication in his bloodstream when he leapt to his death from a suspension bridge in August, preliminary autopsy results show.

Independent

Brown, 18, was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, according to a preliminary private autopsy performed on behalf of his family on Sunday, the New York Times reported.

The Guardian

A preliminary private autopsy report found that Mr Brown was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, the New York Times reports.

BBC

Unarmed teenager Michael Brown was shot multiple times, leading to his death on 9 August, according to the results of a preliminary independent autopsy.

BBC

Wilson, who is white, shot the black teenager six times in a confrontation on a street in Ferguson, according to a preliminary private autopsy.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or medical investigations, use "a preliminary autopsy" to clarify that the findings are not yet conclusive and might be subject to change after further analysis.

Common error

Avoid stating that "a preliminary autopsy" provides definitive answers. Emphasize that it offers initial insights that require further investigation and confirmation through additional tests and analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary autopsy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of medical examination, implying it's an initial assessment and not the final determination of cause of death. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

3%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a preliminary autopsy" is a common noun phrase used to describe an initial post-mortem examination, often in the context of news and media reporting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Given its frequent use in reporting, it is important to remember that findings from "a preliminary autopsy" are not definitive and require further investigation. Alternatives like "an initial post-mortem examination" or "a first autopsy report" can be used, depending on the nuance you want to convey. Common mistakes include treating preliminary findings as conclusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial post-mortem examination

Replaces "preliminary autopsy" with more formal synonyms for both "preliminary" and "autopsy".

a first autopsy report

Focuses on the 'first' nature of the report derived from the initial autopsy.

an early post-mortem analysis

Uses "early" instead of "preliminary", and "analysis" for a slightly broader scope than "autopsy".

a quick autopsy assessment

Emphasizes the speed and initial evaluation aspect of the preliminary autopsy.

the initial findings of the autopsy

Shifts the focus from the procedure to its immediate results.

a basic forensic examination

Uses a broader term for "autopsy", implying a simple, initial examination.

a swift examination after death

Highlights the speed and timing of the examination.

a rapid cause-of-death inquiry

Changes the focus to the inquiry into the cause of death, rather than the procedure itself.

the first look at the deceased

A more informal way of referring to the initial examination.

an immediate examination of the body

Stresses the immediacy and physical aspect of the initial examination.

FAQs

How is "a preliminary autopsy" used in a sentence?

You can use "a preliminary autopsy" to describe the initial findings in an investigation, as in "A preliminary autopsy showed no signs of foul play, but further tests are pending".

What's the difference between "a preliminary autopsy" and a final autopsy?

"A preliminary autopsy" is an initial examination conducted shortly after death, while a final autopsy includes comprehensive analyses and conclusive findings. The former is subject to change based on additional tests, while the latter is a complete, detailed report.

Which is more accurate: "a preliminary autopsy" or "an initial autopsy"?

Both "a preliminary autopsy" and "an initial autopsy" are accurate and can be used interchangeably to describe the first autopsy performed to determine the cause of death. However, "a preliminary autopsy" is slightly more common.

What information does "a preliminary autopsy" typically reveal?

"A preliminary autopsy" usually reveals the immediate apparent cause of death and any obvious injuries. However, it may not include results from toxicology or microscopic examinations, which can provide more detailed information.