Figure 2a  is a line graph depicting the temporal change in the population-based rate of post-mortem examinations of suspected prion disease case deaths, by year (1993-2014) and state and territory.  There is significant over-lapping variability in the post-mortem rate for each state over the 1993-2011 timeframe, however, the overall trend in the more populous states (Figure 2a) is positive. Based on the more recent surveillance years, a marked decrease in the post-mortem rate in Queensland in 2013 is evident, reflecting the interruption of the autopsy service in that state. In Western Australia, a lower rate of post-mortems is demonstrated in 2012 and 2013 compared to pre-2012 years.