Why was an autopsy ordered on Booth's body?

Why was an autopsy ordered on Booth's body?

• A. To be absolutely certain the body was Booth's
• B. To determine the cause of death
• C. To verify the identity of all those involved
• D. To gather evidence for the trial

Answer: (A)

An autopsy was ordered to confirm beyond doubt who had died. In the chaotic pursuit after Lincoln’s assassination, there were circulating doubts and rumors about whether the man killed was John Wilkes Booth. Officials wanted decisive proof of identity before sharing information or proceeding with the case, so the autopsy served as the final, indisputable check that the body was Booth. While autopsies can reveal cause of death, the pressing need here was certainty about identity, not to identify all those involved or to gather courtroom evidence for Booth, who was already deceased.

An autopsy was ordered to confirm beyond doubt who had died. In the chaotic pursuit after Lincoln’s assassination, there were circulating doubts and rumors about whether the man killed was John Wilkes Booth. Officials wanted decisive proof of identity before sharing information or proceeding with the case, so the autopsy served as the final, indisputable check that the body was Booth. While autopsies can reveal cause of death, the pressing need here was certainty about identity, not to identify all those involved or to gather courtroom evidence for Booth, who was already deceased.