FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the autopsy performed?
- We are a mobile unit. We travel to various hospitals, medical examiner's offices, and funeral homes to perform the procedure. If your chosen funeral home has the capacity to perform the post-mortem exam at their facility, we will preform the procedure there.
- What is the timeline for the procedure and the final report?
- The autopsy procedure is generally performed within 48 hours after the required autopsy authorization form and payment have been received by our office.
- Following the procedure, a provisional report is completed and sent to the next of kin, along with a paid invoice receipt, within two weeks of the procedure.
- The final report, in most cases, will be completed within 90 working days (3-4 months) of the autopsy procedure and sent to the next of kin through certified mail.
- All personal information, autopsy results are protected under the HIPAA Law.
- How long after death can an autopsy be performed?
- In general, an autopsy performed greater than 2 weeks after death does not yield high quality results. The embalming process and/or adequate refrigeration may extend this time frame.
- What is the difference between a complete autopsy and a complete autopsy with toxicology?
- A complete autopsy does not include a blood toxicology screen (a laboratory test which looks for many commonly prescribed medications and drugs of the abuse).
- A complete autopsy with toxicology includes this laboratory test.
- Who is the legal next of kin?
- Your spouse or domestic partner, your closest blood relative