“The law demanding authorities to request permission prior to performing an autopsy was passed over 30 years ago, the result of a tenacious battle that took years. The elderly were afraid of being hospitalized for fear an autopsy would be performed on them after they were niftar. They feared landing up in the forensic institute, and there were even cases of selling organs. It was a most difficult time, one that we all remember” stated Yahadut HaTorah MK Rav Yisrael Eichler.

Eichler is now turning to state officials in the hope of amending current regulations, addressing incidents when foul play is suspected in a death. He wants clearly defined regulations regarding autopsies, adding that police must investigate as opposed to running to perform a post mortem. He adds that today, there is also the virtual autopsy option. He questions why today, people have to still fear a forced autopsy when this can be avoided.

Eichler feels the law must be amended to clearly spell out what is permitted, and today, with the availability of special MRIs, there is no need for an autopsy.

He adds that he feels if and when a situation compels an actual autopsy, a rav, physician or another family representative must be present. This will limit the extent of a post mortem as opposed to permitting medical examiners to simply cut as they wish without regard for halacha.

And finally, all the organs and body party must be turned over for burial. This last condition is linked to the discovery of over 8,000 body parts and tissue samples in the Abu Kabir Forensic Center.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)