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Are autopsies done on elderly people? The surprising facts about postmortem examinations

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autopsy rates have declined significantly over the past several decades, and this trend is especially pronounced among older individuals. While the perception exists that autopsies are only for younger, suspicious deaths, the truth is that autopsies are indeed done on elderly people, influenced by a complex set of legal, medical, and situational factors.