A post-mortem examination is a medical procedure used to determine the cause of death of an individual. There are various synonyms used to refer to this procedure, which are often dependent on their usage in different contexts. In the field of law enforcement, this procedure may be referred to as an autopsy or a coroner's examination. In medical settings, it may be called a pathology examination or a necropsy. These terms serve the same purpose of describing the procedure used to examine a deceased individual's body to determine the cause of death. Whatever the term used, a post-mortem examination provides vital information for medical professionals and legal authorities alike.