autopsy
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autopsy
The medical examination of a corpse in order to determine the cause of death and other pathological changes. A synonym is post-mortem examination.
Die Autopsie ergab, dass der Tod durch eine Vergiftung eintrat.
The autopsy showed that the death was caused by poisoning.
post-mortem analysis
In a figurative sense, a very detailed and critical analysis of something that has failed, in order to find the causes.
Nach dem Scheitern des Projekts führten wir eine schonungslose Autopsie durch, um die Fehler zu finden.
After the project failed, we carried out a ruthless post-mortem analysis to find the mistakes.
The word comes from Greek: 'autós' means 'self' and 'opsis' means 'seeing'. An 'Autopsie' (autopsy) is therefore literally a 'self-viewing'—the doctor establishes certainty about the cause of death with their own eyes.
Die Autopsie ist ein wichtiger Teil der gerichtsmedizinischen Arbeit.
The autopsy is an important part of forensic medical work.
You can tell whether the literal or figurative meaning is meant from the object. If the word refers to a body ('an einer Leiche' — on a corpse), it is the medical examination. If it refers to an abstract concept ('eines Projekts' — of a project, 'einer Niederlage' — of a defeat), it is the analysis of a failure.
Die Autopsie an dem Verstorbenen dauerte mehrere Stunden.
The autopsy on the deceased person took several hours.
In a medical context, 'Autopsie' (autopsy) is often combined with the verbs 'durchführen' (to carry out), 'vornehmen' (to perform), or 'anordnen' (to order). The examination takes place 'an' (on) a person or corpse, with the dative.
Der Staatsanwalt hat eine Autopsie angeordnet, um die Todesursache zu klären.
The public prosecutor ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The figurative meaning is often used in politics or management. It always describes the analysis of something that has already ended negatively, such as an election defeat or a failed project.
Nach der Insolvenz folgte eine genaue Autopsie der Geschäftsentscheidungen.
After the bankruptcy, a detailed post-mortem analysis of the business decisions followed.
section / autopsy
Sektion and Autopsie can both refer to the examination of a corpse. Autopsie usually means the entire medical examination, while Sektion, as a technical term, focuses more on the procedure carried out by the examiner. When speaking generally about the process and its results, Autopsie is suitable; for the specific examination procedure, Sektion is also possible.
Bei der Autopsie stellte die Ärztin die Todesursache der Leiche fest.
During the autopsy, the doctor determined the cause of death.
Bei der Sektion untersuchte die Ärztin die Organe der Leiche.
During the autopsy, the doctor examined the corpse’s organs.
