[Autopsy--legal basis (Part I)].

This paper discusses the legal basis for performing forensic autopsies, questions involving the appointment of experts to perform them, and principles of reporting their results. Attention is also given to Recommendation R (99) 3 of the Committee of Ministers, Council of Europe, on the harmonization of regulations for medico-legal autopsies approved February 2 1999 at the 658th sitting of ministerial representatives which recommends member-state governments' acceptance of the principles and rules as their internal standard, as well as the setting up of quality-control programs to assure proper introduction of the principles and regulations. Poland however has not--to date--conformed in any way to these recommendations, and according to the European Law Section of the Department of International Cooperation and European Law at the Ministry of Justice "questions" related to the performance of autopsies are in the hands the Ministry of Health".