If the public security believes that the possibility of criminal offence can be initially ruled out without autopsy, and the family members still have objections, they can contact a social appraisal institution with appraisal qualifications to conduct autopsy, and the expenses will be borne entirely by the family members who apply for appraisal, and the money will also be given to the appraisal institution. After the autopsy, the family members insist that it is a criminal case, and they can continue to respond to the public security and apply to the procuratorate for filing supervision.
The above is about whether an autopsy is needed for abnormal death.
Legal basis:
Regulations on the handling of medical accidents
Article 18
If the patient dies and neither doctor nor patient can determine the cause of death or disagree with it, an autopsy shall be conducted within 48 hours after the death of the patient; It can be extended to 7 days if it meets the requirements for cryopreservation of corpses. Autopsy shall be approved and signed by the close relatives of the deceased.
Autopsy should be carried out by pathological anatomy institutions and professional and technical personnel who have obtained corresponding qualifications in accordance with relevant state regulations. Institutions undertaking autopsy tasks and professional technicians of pathological anatomy have the obligation to conduct autopsy.
Both parties to the medical malpractice dispute may invite forensic doctors to participate in the autopsy, or designate representatives to observe the autopsy process. If the autopsy is refused or delayed for more than the specified time, which affects the determination of the cause of death, the party who refuses or delays shall bear the responsibility.