An autopsy, also called a necropsy or an obduction, is a medical doctor's examination of a dead human body. It is done to find out the cause of death, the nature of any disease present, or the effectiveness of medical treatment that was attempted before death.http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2404 http://www.medicinenet.com/autopsy/article.htm

A recent autopsy in the news was done on the body of grown-up child actor Corey Haim. Corey died in March of 2010. He was 38 years old. This autopsy was performed by the LA County Coroner. The coroner determined that Corey died of congestion in his lungs. Corey's family thinks that perhaps Corey was given improper medication by medical personnel.http://www.accesshollywood.com/corey-haims-mother-actor-had-enlarged-heart-died-of-pulmonary-congestion_article_30036

An all-time famous autopsy was done on singer and superstar Michael Jackson. It revealed that the singer was only eating pills on his final day. It also showed that Michael Jackson had multiple needle wounds to his hips, thighs and shoulders. These needle wounds are believed to be from injections of the narcotic painkiller Demerol that he received three times daily for a year. It was also revealed that the singer was reduced to a minimal weight of 8 stones one ounce just before his death. Charges were pressed against Michael's cardiologist, a Dr Murray.http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2505693/The-shock-findings-of-the-Michael-Jackson-autopsy.html

A popular TV show that frequently dramatizes an autopsy is NCIS. Most of the time a character named Dr Mallard does the autopsies, as is proper. Sometimes the forensics specialist Abby helps him or steps in for him. Episodes of NCIS can be watched online on the CBS website. The show also airs nightly on CBS. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis/