NETWAR 3

The National Center for Health Statistics issued a report in 2011 (NCHS Data Brief, No. 67, August 2011) based on studies of autopsies conducted from 1972 to 2007.

The report concluded that the total number of autopsies declined by about 50% during that period, mainly because of limited use of autopsies in deaths caused by disease. In cases of death due to external causes, autopsies were performed in 97.1% of cases of assault, 80.8% of cases in which the cause of death was undetermined, 79% of suspected poisonings, and 59.9% of suicides.

The report also found that autopsies were ordered in 60% of the deaths of persons in the 15-24 age group with the percentage of autopsies declining with age. In the 65-to-74 age group only 4.2% of deaths were followed by an autopsy. Some states have laws that mandate an autopsy on any death which is unattended.

In light of the above data, respond to the following questions:

· Is such a law practicable?

· Would you recommend that all states have such laws? Why or why not?

· Is it possible or likely that crimes are being undetected by those states that do not have such a law?

Your paper should be 350-450 words in length and formatted, in addition to the textbook, cite at least three scholarly sources.