South University Wk 4 Autopsies Report by A Doctor in Different Death Discussion

In February 2016, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead in a hunting lodge in a remote area of Texas. In such cases, a judge must sign off on the official cause of death and determine if an autopsy should be performed. Justice Scalia was seventy-nine years old at the time of his death.

For this assignment, post to the Discussion Area your response to the following:

• In general, what possible causes and manners of death would a medical examiner consider when a victim is discovered deceased in a hotel room with no witnesses?
• What factors would normally justify an autopsy?

In the specific case of Justice Scalia, the judge on duty at the time attributed Scalia’s death to natural causes and did not order an autopsy. The judge made her ruling by telephone, based on input by the investigators on the scene.

• What information would you expect to be given to a judge for a ruling to be made in this manner?
• Explain why you agree or disagree with the judge’s decision in this case. Explain your reasoning.
• What questions could have been answered had there been an autopsy in this case?

Justify your responses with credible research.