Retrospective diagnosis is the process of identifying an illness or medical condition after a patient has passed away. Sometimes referred to as post-mortem diagnosis or after-the-fact diagnosis, it can be a challenging and complex task for physicians and medical professionals. Some other potential synonyms for retrospective diagnosis may include historical diagnosis, diagnostic speculation, and past-condition identification. In some cases, terms like subclinical disease identification or latent diagnosis may also be appropriate, as these refer to identifying illnesses that were present but not easily identifiable at the time of the patient's death. Ultimately, the process of retrospective diagnosis requires a careful examination of medical records, as well as a thorough understanding of the patient's history and symptoms.