autopsy vs post mortem

autopsy

noun
  • A dissection performed on a cadaver to find possible cause(s) of death. 

  • An after-the-fact examination, especially of the causes of a failure. 

  • An eyewitness observation, the presentation of an event as witnessed. 

verb
  • To perform an autopsy on. 

  • To perform an after-the-fact analysis of, especially of a failure. 

post mortem

noun
  • An investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death. 

  • Any investigation after the conclusion of an activity, particularly when said activity produces an unwanted outcome. 

adv
  • Occurring after death. 

adj
  • Having been inflicted or having occurred after death. 

How often have the words autopsy and post mortem occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )