The Autopsy Service has performed more than 50,000 autopsies since it was established in 1889. Our service accepts cases from outside parties, including families who want to establish or confirm findings on cause of death and to resolve questions about possible medical negligence or hereditary disease.

Autopsies are performed by house officers under close supervision of senior house officers and attendings. Special procedures may include radiography, angiography, microbiology, photography and electron microscopy. For unusual or complex cases, the expertise and resources of Johns Hopkins are available to us for specialized consultation.

We maintain records and slides of every autopsy performed by the service, which are available to investigators for review. During the more than 100 years since the service began, this information has been used in hundreds of studies, especially those related to investigations of the development of disease.

Expert consultation

Dr. Barbara J. Crain is director of the Autopsy Service. Her special interest is general autopsy neuropathology with emphasis on neurodegenerative disease, especially the manifestations of Alzheimer's disease. She is Chair of the Neuropathology Committee of the College of American Pathologists and Vice President for Professional Affairs for the American Association of Neuropathologists.

To the division's longstanding work with problems in pathogenesis as seen at autopsy, former Director Dr. Grover M. Hutchins, brings more than 30 years' experience, particularly with heart and lung diseases and pediatric pathology. He has worked with numerous colleagues, including house officers, fellows, medical students and students of medical art. Dr. Hutchins is an author on more than 450 papers, 44 book chapters and a number of abstracts and other publications. He edited the manuals Autopsy Performance and Reporting and An Introduction To Autopsy Technique. He has taught seminars nationally on ischemic and congenital heart disease and the pathology of heart-lung transplantation, among other topics.

Special capabilities and services

The Autopsy Pathology Division at Hopkins is one of the few facilities in the area to offer its services to outside parties interested in private autopsies. We can help coordinate the necessary arrangements for transporting the body and getting the necessary permits for the autopsy.

The Autopsy Service strives for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness in performing and reporting on autopsies. We are sensitive to issues of concern to families, including funeral arrangements and to the resolutions of cause of death, appropriateness of care, and possible genetic implications of disease.

A preliminary report is available within two days of completing the gross examination and review. Generally, the final report, which includes the results of histologic and other studies, is complete within 30 days. Staff members provide an interpretation of the autopsy report and will consult with the family.

Specimens or materials for review can be sent by overnight courier. Physicians are available for phone consults 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday.

• Director, Autopsy Pathology
• Associate Professor of Pathology

• Ph.D. in Anatomy (Neuroanatomy), Duke University
• M.D., Duke University
• Residency in Anatomic and Neuropathology, Duke University Medical Center
• Certified by American Board of Pathology in Anatomic and Neuropathology

• Member (1992 to present), Vice Chair (1996 - 1999), and Chair (2000- present), Neuropathology Committee, College of American Pathologists
• Chair, Neuropathology Slide Session, 1996-1998, US-Canadian Academy of Pathology; Vice President for Professional Affairs for the American Association of Neuropathologists (2001 - present)
• Editorial Board, Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
• Editorial Board, Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

• Professor of Pathology

• M.D., The Johns Hopkins University School o f Medicine
• Residency in Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Fellow in Experimental Pathology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation

• Member (1986-present) and Chair (1991-1995) Autopsy Committee, College of American Pathologists
• Editorial Board, Cardiovascular Pathobiology
• Editorial Board, Modern Pathology

The extent of the autopsy examination may vary. Complete autopsy examination is preferable, but partial or brain-only examinations may be directed to answer specific questions. Slide and medical review of autopsies performed elsewhere will be reviewed for second opinion. To make arrangements for a private autopsy:
     During weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m., call: 410-955-2490
     If no answer or at other times call: the pathologist on call, Beeper 410-283-9482


NOTE: Normally, funeral directors handle transport and delivery of bodies. Our office will work with outside parties to coordinate these arrangements. Please call Suzanne Smallwood at (410) 955-2490 with questions.