The chief coroner is worried that pathologists are seeking greater control of post-mortem procedures.
A review of the Coroners Act 2006, looking at how coroners make their recommendations and the time it takes to hear cases, is being carried out.
Judge Neil MacLean said pathologists have indicated they would like more say in the decision making process regarding post-mortems.
He said it is standard pathologist practice to perform post-mortems in order to be 100% certain of the cause of death, but coroners take consider a wide range of factors when deciding if a post mortem should be performed.
He said post-mortems cause distress, particularly in cases where it is not entirely necessary.
