A regional approach for infection prevention in death investigations during the COVID-19 era

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2021 Feb:48:101829. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2020.101829. Epub 2020 Dec 15.

¹ Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa, Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. Electronic address: mamin@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp.
² Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa, Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. Electronic address: tojo@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp.
³ Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa, Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. Electronic address: marint@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp.
⁴ Department of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa, Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. Electronic address: hitosugi@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp.

Abstract

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Postmortem procedures in the COVID-19 era require infection prevention.
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Postmortem PCR can be used to determine infection risk.
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Forensic medical examiners and clinicians proactively test cadavers for COVID-19.
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A fluent updating of examining system would be required.

Keywords: COVID-19; Death investigation; Infection; Postmortem personnel; Prevention.