Basso C, et al. - The target of this paper was to present the benefits of guidelines for autopsy investigation of sudden cardiac death (SCD). These guidelines would improve the standards of autopsy practice. It would permit significant comparisons between different communities and regions, along with the determination of emerging patterns of diseases causing SCD. The development of regional multidisciplinary networks of cardiologists, geneticists, and pathologists was suggested here. They would facilitate the detection of index cases with a genetic basis, with the intent to screen appropriate family members, and ensure the implementation of appropriate preventive strategies.