ThanaToplasTy and presenTaTion of deaTh bodies To families afTer auTopsy: complex psychological processes

Abstract

Today, in France, more than 12000 families are saddened further to the violent or sudden death of a dear being
and 8000 are directly confronted with the judicial measures.
The analysis of the testimonies of these families reveals extremly painful real-life experiences not only because
of the death, circumstances of the death, and change of the corpse but also the feeling of loneliness and incomprehension in front of all the scientific, judicial, and forensic investigations.
We ask the question of the consideration of the emotional suffering of these families and their psychologic accompaniment in forensic institutes.