'autopsical' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autopsia', where 'autos' meant 'self' and 'opsis' meant 'seeing'.

'autopsical' developed from Medieval/Modern English adjectival formations based on the noun 'autopsy' (from Greek 'autopsia' via Late Latin/Old French routes), with the adjective-forming suffix '-ical' attached to create 'autopsical'.

Initially tied to the Greek notion of 'seeing for oneself', the term has come to be used mainly in English to mean 'relating to autopsy' or, more rarely, 'based on direct observation'.