How to Get a Copy of an Autopsy Report

An autopsy is an examination done on a body after the death of a person. A medical doctor who has specialized in pathology does this examination. If a person's death is under investigation, autopsy reports are generally used to determine the cause of death. These reports include such information as a blood alcohol levels, any obvious bruises or marks on the body, and a report done by the medical examiner which states what he thinks is the cause of death.

Instructions

1. Identify the place of death. You will need to know which county the death took place in so that you can contact the medical examiner of that county. Check newspaper records and death announcements to find out where the death took place.

2. Call the office of the medical examiner and ask them to send you an autopsy request form. In some cases, they will send you a form via email, but most offices will simply mail you the form.

3. Complete the autopsy request form. You will receive instructions along with the blank request form and you should follow them carefully so that you do not leave anything out. The form will ask your name and contact information, the name of the deceased person and the date of death.

4. Submit the autopsy request form and any fees that you have been instructed to send back with the form. You may be required to send in a small fee to cover the cost of copies and postage. If you do not receive a response in a few weeks, then contact the medical examiner's office again and inquire about the status of your request form.

Tips & Warnings

• Since all counties are different, you might find out that your county requires you to write a letter of request instead of completing a form. This letter should include the same information as an autopsy request, including the name of the deceased person and the date of death.

• If the death is still under investigation, you are unlikely to receive a copy of the autopsy report until the case is closed, due to its sensitive information.

References

• Collier County, Florida: Obtaining an Autopsy Report