Translation guide
The medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death or to study disease. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 解剖 (かいぼう), but there are more specific terms for forensic vs. clinical contexts.
The general act of dissecting a corpse to find cause of death or for medical study.
The most common and general term for autopsy or dissection of a body. Used in both medical and forensic contexts.
An autopsy was performed to investigate the cause of death.
Verb form: to perform an autopsy or dissection.
The doctor performed an autopsy on the body.
An autopsy ordered by authorities to determine cause of death in suspicious or criminal cases.
A forensic autopsy conducted under legal authority, typically in criminal cases. This is the standard term in police and legal contexts.
The victim of the incident underwent a forensic autopsy.
Refers to a death investigation or post-mortem examination, often used in legal contexts. It can include external examination without full dissection.
An autopsy performed in a hospital to confirm diagnosis or for medical education, often with family consent.
Using 'autopsy' metaphorically to mean a thorough analysis of something that has ended, like a failed project or game.
The word 解剖 can be used figuratively for a detailed analysis, similar to English. Often used in phrases like 敗因を解剖する (analyze the reasons for defeat).
They performed an autopsy of the game's loss.
A more common and less metaphorical word for 'analysis'. Use this when 'autopsy' is just a fancy way of saying 'analysis'.
解剖 (かいぼう) is the general term for dissection/autopsy. 検死 (けんし) is a broader death investigation, which may not involve full dissection. 司法解剖 (しほうかいぼう) is specifically a forensic autopsy ordered by a court or prosecutor. In everyday news, 司法解剖 is the most common term for criminal case autopsies.
The most natural verb for performing an autopsy is 解剖する (かいぼうする). You can also use 解剖を行う (かいぼうをおこなう) for a more formal tone. The passive form 解剖される is common when referring to the body being autopsied.
The family consented to an autopsy.
An autopsy revealed the cause of death.
The police are waiting for the results of the post-mortem.
剖検により死因が特定された。
The cause of death was identified by autopsy.
プロジェクトの失敗を分析する。
Analyze the failure of the project.