A postmortem examination is undertaken by a pathologist identified by the coroner to have the necessary expertise.
A postmortem requires some form of examination; this may comprise a CT digital autopsy. It may also require an internal examination to examine organs, for example the heart to consider if the death was due to some form of heart disease.
Sometimes further procedures are needed to determine the cause of death.
This may be the taking of small tissue samples by the pathologist for examination under a microscope (histopathology), or taking blood and urine samples for testing for any substances such as alcohol, drugs or medications (toxicology).
Most postmortem examinations are performed at the main hospital mortuaries at Derby and Chesterfield, but examination of children is usually performed at Sheffield.
The pathologist will produce a final postmortem report which will be shared with the family if they wish to receive a copy.