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Background <p>The second postmortem examination prior to cremation is not only essential for forensic investigations but also has epidemiological and public health relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new requirements for its implementation and evaluation.</p> Method <p>Between 2021 and 2024, data from 135,949 second postmortem examinations were systematically collected at 10 sites in northern Germany. The rate of withheld cases as well as documented COVID-19 or SARS-CoV‑2 infections and their impact on the medical decision-making process were analyzed.</p> Results <p>The average withholding rate was 3.6% and SARS-CoV‑2 infections were documented in 5701 deaths (4.2%), of which 79&#xa0;cases (1.4%) were initially withheld, almost exclusively due to suspicion of trauma. No occupationally acquired SARS-CoV‑2 infections among the staff were recorded.</p> Conclusion <p>The pandemic had no impact on the second postmortem examination process or the withholding rate. A&#xa0;documented SARS-CoV‑2 infection was never the sole reason for a delay before sending a corpse for cremation. The second postmortem remains an essential tool for epidemiological surveillance and should be better integrated into digital systems.</p>

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Krematoriumsleichenschau: eine rechtsmedizinische Betrachtung im Kontext der COVID-19-Pandemie

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月5日

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  • Ann Sophie Schröder,
  • Benjamin Ondruschka

摘要

Background

The second postmortem examination prior to cremation is not only essential for forensic investigations but also has epidemiological and public health relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new requirements for its implementation and evaluation.

Method

Between 2021 and 2024, data from 135,949 second postmortem examinations were systematically collected at 10 sites in northern Germany. The rate of withheld cases as well as documented COVID-19 or SARS-CoV‑2 infections and their impact on the medical decision-making process were analyzed.

Results

The average withholding rate was 3.6% and SARS-CoV‑2 infections were documented in 5701 deaths (4.2%), of which 79 cases (1.4%) were initially withheld, almost exclusively due to suspicion of trauma. No occupationally acquired SARS-CoV‑2 infections among the staff were recorded.

Conclusion

The pandemic had no impact on the second postmortem examination process or the withholding rate. A documented SARS-CoV‑2 infection was never the sole reason for a delay before sending a corpse for cremation. The second postmortem remains an essential tool for epidemiological surveillance and should be better integrated into digital systems.