police autopsy

USAGE SUMMARY

"police autopsy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a thorough examination of a body to determine a cause of death, typically performed by a coroner or a medical examiner, especially when the deceased's death may be suspicious. For example: "The police autopsy concluded that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The teenager's family declined to allow a police autopsy, Mr. Rosenfeld said.

The New York Times

A police autopsy discloses something very strange in the deceased's stomach: a human finger, complete with painted fingernail.

The Guardian - Film

A statement from the office of Newark's mayor, Sharpe James, said a police autopsy had found that the victim was killed by three shots at close range, "consistent with being shot by a passenger in the adjacent seat".

The New York Times

She believes that the figs discovered in Dora's stomach during the police autopsy hold a key to her murder, and begins researching the mythology of this talismanic fruit associated with fertility and sex.

The New York Times - Books

Mario Woods was shot at least 21 times by San Francisco police, autopsy report says.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

No investigator has come to talk to her, she said, so she has tried to piece together what happened through police and autopsy reports.

The New York Times

Mr. Cohen's investigation was based on reports by the Stamford Fire and Police Departments, autopsy reports, interviews and a review of photographic and seized evidence.

The New York Times

Despite filing a police and autopsy report noting the murder, no one was ever prosecuted.

Vice

Thomas' death is not being blamed on police; an autopsy attributed it, in part, to cocaine intoxication.

Los Angeles Times

Police records, autopsy reports, a cast of characters and detailed history of organized crime and corruption in the 1920s are provided before the night begins.

Huffington Post

Freeman's remarks, interviews that had been conducted, police and autopsy reports and video related to the case were posted on his office's website on Wednesday. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or criminal matters, use "police autopsy" to clearly indicate that the examination is part of a law enforcement investigation. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity about the purpose and context of the autopsy.

Common error

Don't use "police autopsy" when referring to routine medical autopsies unrelated to legal investigations. Use the term only when there is a direct connection to law enforcement or a criminal inquiry. Using it otherwise may create a misleading impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "police autopsy" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a particular type of post-mortem examination. It combines the noun "autopsy" with the adjective "police" to indicate the context and authority under which the autopsy is performed. According to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is grammatically sound and useful in describing law-enforcement-related post-mortem examinations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "police autopsy" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a post-mortem examination conducted under the authority of law enforcement, particularly in the context of a criminal investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, though its usage frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Alternative terms such as "law enforcement autopsy" or "forensic autopsy" may be used depending on the desired level of specificity. When writing, it's important to reserve "police autopsy" for situations where there is a clear connection to a police investigation to avoid misrepresenting the nature of the autopsy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement autopsy

Replaces "police" with "law enforcement", offering a broader term for the investigating authority.

official police post-mortem

Specifies the examination as "official" and uses the term "post-mortem", a synonym for autopsy.

police-ordered autopsy

Emphasizes that the autopsy was "ordered" by the police.

forensic autopsy by police

Highlights the "forensic" nature of the autopsy and specifies that it's conducted by the police.

police forensic examination

Replaces "autopsy" with "forensic examination", broadening the scope of the examination.

criminal investigation autopsy

Links the autopsy directly to a "criminal investigation".

autopsy in a police case

Rephrases to indicate the autopsy is related to a "police case".

autopsy for police inquiry

Specifies the autopsy's purpose as aiding a "police inquiry".

investigative autopsy

Focuses on the "investigative" aspect of the autopsy.

legal autopsy

Highlights the "legal" implications and context of the autopsy.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a "police autopsy"?

A "police autopsy" is performed to determine the cause and manner of death, especially when foul play is suspected or when the death is related to a criminal investigation. The findings can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.

How does a "police autopsy" differ from a regular autopsy?

While both aim to determine the cause of death, a "police autopsy" is specifically conducted under the authority and direction of law enforcement, often involving forensic experts and focusing on collecting evidence relevant to a potential crime. A regular autopsy may be performed for medical or research purposes without police involvement.

Are there alternative terms for "police autopsy"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "law enforcement autopsy" or "forensic autopsy by police". The best choice depends on the specific details you want to emphasize.

Who performs a "police autopsy"?

A "police autopsy" is typically performed by a forensic pathologist, often working in conjunction with law enforcement agencies. This specialist has expertise in analyzing injuries and determining causes of death in cases that may involve criminal activity.