Human autopsies are generally performed either to determine the cause of death or to observe the deadly effects of a disease for research or education purposes. Autopsies may be necessary when tracking an epidemic; they're also performed to discover whether a death might actually have resulted from murder, and if so, what evidence it might reveal that could help catch the murderer. Animal necropsies are actually more common than human autopsies, since a farmer with livestock is always concerned that whatever killed one animal not pose a threat to the others.
Noun a necropsy failed to definitively establish a cause of death
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The remains of the sow and cub are being sent to the agency’s Wildlife Health Lab for necropsy, according to Parks and Wildlife. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2022 FitzGerald said some of the dogs have been sent to The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for a necropsy. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2022 The network said that the horse was transported to a facility for a full necropsy, and said that the American Humane Association has interviewed all involved personnel. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 July 2022 After hauling the snake through the trees to a field truck, researchers took her to a lab for a necropsy. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2022 The lion will be taken to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab in San Bernardino for a full necropsy. Christian Martinezstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 But Tuesday’s necropsy marked what will most likely be a busy shark season. Steve Annear, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2022 The necropsy could not definitively determine the cause of death.Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2022 After a crew from the California Academy of Sciences conducted its necropsy, Sudan and his own crew sawed the blubber from the bones and disassembled and preserved the skeleton, a project that took a full year. Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 June 2022
Verb
Thanks to @MassDFG @A_WhiteShark and @GregSkomal for recovering this juvenile white #shark and coordinating with us to necropsy it. Steve Annear, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2022 The dog weighed only four pounds and died of extreme starvation, according to the U of I necropsy findings. Naperville Sun Staff Report, chicagotribune.com, 8 Nov. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
necr- + -opsy (in autopsy), probably after French nécropsie