How to Obtain Autopsy Reports
An autopsy is a complete report of the examination of a dead body, usually performed by a pathologist and under the supervision of the chief medical examiner. The report generated and filed will include the medical findings and any conclusions reached regarding the manner of death. Once finalized, the report itself becomes a matter of record, and you can then obtain a copy of it.
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Instructions
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Get written permission from the next of kin (if it is not yourself). The order of next of kin is: husband or wife; child, if of legal age; parent; adult brother or sister; grandparents; and legal guardian. In certain cases, law enforcement officials, certain attorneys and treating physicians may request copies of the report without the permission of family.
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Contact the medical examiner of the county in which the autopsy was performed. The medical examiner's office may either be connected to or independent from the local law enforcement agency concerned.
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Provide a written request for the autopsy report. In some cases you will be required to fill out a specific form or forms provided by the medical examiner's office. In general the form will require the deceased's full name and date of death as well as your own name, address and telephone number. A release of information signed by the next of kin (if not yourself) may also be required. If you are requesting the autopsy report for an insurance company or an attorney, you should enclose a memo on that company's or individual's letterhead.
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Pay the medical examiner's office the fee for the report. Fees vary by county but often fall in the $20 range. Call the medical examiner's office for exact pricing as well as to whom the check should be written out to.
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Wait between 30 and 90 days for your report to be mailed. If the autopsy report itself is not complete at the time of the request, the waiting period may be lengthier. Also, if the autopsy report requested is several years old, it may take additional time to process a copy.
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Tips & Warnings
Be aware that autopsy photographs are not generally included with an autopsy report.
