In order for a forensic pathologist to find out how and why a person died, it is very important that they have access to as much information as possible about the deceased person, including any problems they may have suffered from in life, as well as information such as lifestyle and family medical history. In many cases, this information can only be provided by members of the family, who are in the best position to tell us about their loved one.
Although whole organs removed at the time of autopsy cannot be used for transplantation, some body tissue such as bone, heart valves, corneas and skin can be transplanted. These tissues can benefit a very large number of people in the community, and accordingly the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria often asks families whether they would be prepared to allow some of these tissues to be donated for transplantation purposes. Tissue is only collected in this way with the expressed consent of the family. More details about the tissue donation process are available from the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria under Tissue Donation.
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