RT Journal Article
T1 How much does a forensic autopsy cost in Spain?
A1 Martín-Carzorla, Fernando
A1 Ramos-Medina, Valentín
A1 Rubio-Lamia, Leticia Olga
A1 Santos-Amaya, Ignacio Miguel
A1 Jódar-Sánchez, Francisco
K1 Forenses -- Lenguaje
K1 Autopsia
K1 España
AB Introduction and objectivesThe autopsy is considered the gold standard in death investigation. Performing an autopsy requires human and material resources that must be programmed in order to meet the demands of the judicial system. However, as far as we know, the cost of forensic autopsy in Spain has not been determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate the cost of a standard autopsy in order to organise Forensic Pathology Services more efficiently.Material and methodsA micro-cost analysis was carried out. The nominal group technique was applied using a panel of 10 forensic experts in order to identify and quantify the resources associated with a forensic autopsy.ResultsThe results showed that analysis and studies are the most important item in the total cost (54.7%), followed by staff (20.5%), preservation of body (14%), single-use products (7%), equipment and stock (1.6%), cleaning and disinfection (1.5%), facilities maintenance (0.5%) and IT (0.2%).ConclusionsThe total cost of a standard autopsy was €1501.45, which is lower than the European average. This study is the first in Spain to calculate the unit price of a forensic autopsy by means of micro-cost analysis. This may help to address the way forensic pathology centres are organised at different levels of complexity.
PB Springer Nature
YR 2022
FD 2022-11-07
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26290
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26290
LA eng
NO Martín-Cazorla, F., Ramos-Medina, V., Rubio-Lamia, L., Santos-Amaya, I., & Jódar-Sánchez, F. (2022). How much does a forensic autopsy cost in Spain?. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 1-10.
NO Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. // Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 21 ene 2026