Who decides whether a forensic post-mortem examination is carried out?

The decision is made by the competent public prosecutor's office. Relatives cannot commission a forensic post-mortem examination directly from the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

If relatives have questions about the reason for the examination or the status of the proceedings, the competent public prosecutor's office is usually the right point of contact. The Institute of Forensic Medicine may only provide information within the limits of the legal requirements and the respective responsibilities.