Pathologists Friday prepared to perform an autopsy on former Russian spy turned Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, who died from radiation poisoning, the Associated Press reports.Three pathologists will attend the autopsy of Litvinenko at the Royal London Hospital’s forensic science facility, coroner Dr. Andrew Reid said.

One pathologist will represent the government, another will attend for Litvinenko’s wife, Marina, and the third is an independent specialist in case of a criminal prosecution in the case.

Due to the nature of Litvinenko’s death extremely high doses of the rare radioactive element polonium 210 were found in his body — doctors carrying out the examination will take extra safety precautions.

The funeral of the 43-year-old former KGB agent will be held soon after the autopsy, his friend Alex Goldfarb said.

The police investigation into Litvinenko’s death has so far found traces of radiation at a total of 12 locations, Britain’s Home Secretary John Reid said.

Among the sites were two British Airways airliners, that had traveled between London and Moscow. A third BA plane that was grounded in Moscow will be flown back to London to undergo examination on Friday.

The Health Protection Agency said it has seen 139 people as a precaution, and 24 of those were referred to a specialist clinic.

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