Use of Coronial Post-mortem Tissue for Research in New Zealand.

Abstract

Forensic pathology is remarkably under-represented in research: considering the obstacles a researcher must overcome to obtain post-mortem tissue for research, it is perhaps not surprising. We are investigating whether there is any role for altered drug metabolism in potentially fatal clozapine-associated myocarditis and/or cardiomyopathy. As part of this research, the use of post-mortem tissue taken during a coronial autopsy from individuals who have died from, or with, these clozapine-associated cardiotoxicities was considered fundamental. Currently, there is no clear pathway for using coronial post-mortem tissue for research in New Zealand. We have worked through the Coroners Act 2006 NZ, the Human Tissue Act 2008 NZ and the medico-legal death investigation process in New Zealand to use coronial post-mortem tissue for research. The process to obtaining tissue(s) in New Zealand is probably representative of pathways in other coronial systems.