The medicolegal autopsy: when to refer to a forensic pathologist

The system of death investigation in England and Wales is complex, resulting in a distinction between ‘non-forensic’ and ‘forensic’ medicolegal autopsies. This article reviews the medicolegal investigation of sudden death and the actions of the police at the scene, and features in the history, external examination and internal examination that ‘non-forensic’ pathologists should be attune to in their everyday practice.