Autopsy and religion: A review of the literature

Abstract

In spite of immense benefits derivable from carrying out autopsy on the dead, its practice has been very limited in northern Nigeria. One of the reasons for this is the perception that religion opposes the practice of autopsy. Using online search engines and religious doctrinal literature including the Qur'an, Bible and Talmud, a review of their teachings regarding autopsies was conducted. Findings were then harmonized with the practice of autopsy in its present form. Available literature reveals that the religious impediments include the permissibility or otherwise of the procedure, timing, opposite sexes seeing the corpse's nakedness, body mutilation, exhumation of the dead and retention of organs or tissues for teaching purposes. This study concludes that no religion expressly condemns the practice of autopsying the dead, and that the meeting points for various religions and the practice of autopsy is the need for learning and dispensation of justice. However, there is also a common agreement on the need for the procedure to be done promptly and to maintain the dignity of the dead during the procedure.