Key result
Meticulous autopsy and histopathology distinguish insect artefacts from injuries to confirm coronary insufficiency in SCD.
Why the study?
Sudden cardiac death presents a forensic challenge because it can occur unexpectedly in apparently healthy individuals and postmortem artefacts may complicate interpretation.
This case highlights the importance of meticulous autopsy protocols to distinguish postmortem artefacts from antemortem injuries in sudden cardiac death.
Meticulous autopsy prevents artefact misinterpretation in SCD; reinforces standardized histopathology protocols in forensic cardiovascular investigation.
Sudden cardiac death is a major forensic challenge because it can occur unexpectedly in apparently healthy individuals and postmortem artefacts may complicate interpretation. We report the case of a 28-year-old male who was found deceased, with autopsy revealing critical coronary artery blockages alongside insect-related postmortem artefacts. These artefacts initially mimicked antemortem injuries, but careful examination distinguished them from actual pathology. Comprehensive ancillary investigations including histopathological examination that confirmed the gross autopsy findings, and a full toxicological screen yielding negative results corroborated the diagnosis of coronary insufficiency as the cause of death. This case underscores the importance of meticulous autopsy protocols in recognising postmortem changes, preventing misdiagnosis, and ensuring accurate determination of the cause of death in suspected cases of sudden cardiac death.
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James et al. (2026) studied this question. Meticulous autopsy and histopathology distinguished insect-related postmortem artefacts from actual injuries, confirming coronary insufficiency as the cause of sudden cardiac death.
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