when is an autopsy preformer?

Autopsies are not performed on "most" of the dead, as incorrectly stated above. Autopsies are performed if the deceased dies from any cause of death other than natural, if the death was unattended or if there are any suspicious circumstances. A coroner is called to the scene or to the hospital if the death occurred within 24 hours of being admitted without being under a doctors care. The coroner then decides whether or not an autopsy is warranted (if the coroner orders the autopsy, the county pays for it). If a family wants an autopsy performed that a coroner has not ordered, they can pay (usually runs about $3000) for a private autopsy.

Only about 8-10% of deaths are autopsied, which really isn't that much, considering there are 2 million deaths per year in the USA.

Any time a person dies you are entitled to have an autopsy performed. They usually don't perform them if the cause of death is known or if the person is elderly unless the family wants a specific cause of death such as cancer which would be good to know in a family history.

Autopsy is performed on most of the dead, even with natural cause of death they do weigh the organs, and muscles. Scientists are actually accepting bodies in Universities to be studied natural, or untimely death for students and for cures.