necropsy

/ˈnɛkrɑpsi/
noun
  1. An examination of a dead animal's body to find the cause of death.
    • The veterinarian performed a necropsy on the dog to determine why it died suddenly.
    • The zoo's pathologist conducted a necropsy on the penguin to learn more about its illness.
    • After the horse died, the owner requested a necropsy to check for disease.