RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the characteristics of autopsies in medical dispute.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 202 autopsy cases in medical disputes performed by the Department of Pathology of Jiangxi Medical College from January 2001 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of autopsy in medical disputes increased year by year. Neonatal, infant and 30 ≊ 60y were more common age groups in dispute; the gender ratio of male to female was 2:1 and more cases were from hospitals in rural areas. Most medical disputes came from in departments of pediatric, obstetrics and gynecology and general surgery. Death caused by cardiovascular diseases ranked at the first place.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Autopsy is important in medical disputes to define the cause of death and to preserve evidence.</p>