Each year infants, children and young adults die suddenly and unexpectedly. In 
many cases the cause of death can be elucidated by medico-legal autopsy, 
however, a significant number of these cases remain unexplained despite a 
detailed postmortem investigation and are labeled as sudden unexplained death 
(SUD). Post-mortem genetic testing, so called molecular autopsy, revealed that 
primary arrhythmogenic disorders including long QT syndrome and 
catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) may account for a 
certain number of these cases. Because of the inheritance of these diseases, 
close relatives of the deceased may also at potential risk of carrying fatal 
cardiac disorders. Therefore, advanced diagnostic analyses, genetic counseling 
and interdisciplinary collaboration should be integral parts of clinical and 
forensic practice. In the present study, we performed mutation analyses of the 
major genes causing cardiac channelopathies in 15 SUD cases. In four cases we 
found putative pathogenic mutations in cardiac ion channel genes. Clinical and 
genetic examination of family members of SUD victims was also performed and 
affected family members were identified. This study demonstrates that molecular 
genetic screening needs to become an inherent part of the postmortem 
examination. This will enhance the ability of screening family members of SUD 
victims who may be at risk. The present data also illustrate that detection and 
follow up of familial cases of sudden death is challenging and requires a close 
multidisciplinary collaboration between different medical disciplines, with 
great responsibility for the forensic pathologist.