RESUMEN
The external examination of a corpse is regulated by federal law and presents physicians and police with a series of challenges. Mostly GPs, but practically every licensed physician, are obliged to complete death certificates, resulting in a very large number of potential physicians, which at the same time means only a small number of cases for each individual. Consequently, this sensitive topic often lacks the experience needed.As already shown in several studies, only very limited possibilities for the correct determination of the cause of death are generally present at the inquest. The legal provisions also represent a certain basic problem, from which further pitfalls can arise.In Munich, the medical association, in cooperation with the Institute of Legal Medicine, organizes a 24h service with at least one physician on standby, which ensures quality assurance and/or enhancement of this postmortem service through continuous education and further training as well as monthly meetings. The principles and considerations concerning the practicability of such a system will be discussed in this paper.