Amy Winehouse found dead..........

[Doc Alan]

The post mortem examination has been completed today, but 4 weeks has been allowed for the results of all tests, principally toxicology. The inquest was opened, and in fact adjourned until 26 October. The Coroner is allowing funeral arrangements to proceed as soon as possible. All this is standard procedure, there being no need in this case for further examination of the body.

[Steve.r]

I just heard on the news that there is no conclusive reason for her death. Is that a standard comment until all the tests are finished Alan? you know everyone will be waiting and speculating.
What are the main areas that they would be concentrating on? From your vast experience, what route exactly do the pathologists follow in testing parts of the corpse?

[Doc Alan]

... there is no conclusive reason for her death. Is that a standard comment until all the tests are finished Alan? you know everyone will be waiting and speculating.

It is standard, Steve. Obviously it's difficult to treat Amy's as a " routine " case with such speculation. But in any situation such as hers the pathologist would start by obtaining a full history from the police / coroner's officer, visiting the scene of death if necessary. If the circumstances were suspicious, one of the 30 or so Home Office pathologists would be involved, but the vast majority of sudden deaths are investigated by general pathologists such as myself. Then would follow full external examination, supported by photography and documentation.
No assumptions would be made - if there is no immediately obvious cause, there is always the chance of a natural cause for death. Every single organ would be dissected and samples taken for microscopy. Where necessary a whole organ ( such as the heart ) might legally be retained to establish a natural disease not obvious grossly.
Very often there might be circumstantial evidence, such as empty containers of sleeping pills, other drugs, or bottles of alcohol. Even so, we have to be absolutely sure there is no natural cause for death. Samples for toxicology are obtained from tissue such as liver and body fluids ( blood, urine, vitreous humour from the eyes ) then sent to an accredited forensic laboratory. Alcohol and certain drug levels are obtainable within 24 hours, but a full drug screen ( often needed ) takes much longer.
You can imagine that - supposing toxicology was entirely negative several weeks later - there are problems if no natural cause has been found and the body has been cremated. Depending on circumstances, however, it's routine for the Coroner to open the inquest and immediately adjourn it pending further investigations. ( The system is different elsewhere, like Scotland ).

[Steve.r]

Thanks Alan, very interesting, I can see why you enjoyed (not really the right term) your work. Piecing all the clues together to form a conclusion. Real detective work.