Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where is the autopsy performed?
  2. 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.
  3. What is the timeline for the procedure and the final report?
  4. The autopsy procedure is generally performed within 48 hours after the required autopsy authorization form and payment have been received by our office.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. All personal information, autopsy results are protected under the HIPAA Law.
  8. How long after death can an autopsy be performed?
  9. 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.
  10. What is the difference between a complete autopsy and a complete autopsy with toxicology?
  11. 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).
  12. A complete autopsy with toxicology includes this laboratory test.
  13. Who is the legal next of kin?
  14. Your spouse or domestic partner, your closest blood relative