Updating reference values of organ weights: a multicenter autopsy study

This study aimed to update reference organ weight values for the brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys using a large, multicenter autopsy series from different regions of Türkiye and to evaluate their associations with sex, age, height, body weight, BMI, and cause of death. Adult forensic autopsies performed between November 2023 and November 2024 in six major cities were retrospectively reviewed. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied at both case and organ levels to minimize the influence of pathological alterations. A total of 6,896 cases were included in the analysis (80.8% male, 19.2% female). Age and BMI were similar between sexes, whereas males had significantly greater height and body weight (p < 0.001). In both sexes, heart, lung, liver, spleen, and kidney weights were higher in the natural death group (all p < 0.001). Brain weight was higher in males in the forced death group (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed in females (p > 0.30). Organ weights generally increased with height. Height, body weight, and BMI showed positive correlations with all organs, whereas age was negatively correlated with brain weight and positively correlated with heart weight. In conclusion, organ weights are associated with anthropometric characteristics and cause of death. The findings may provide a more standardized reference framework for routine forensic practice.