How to Obtain Autopsy Reports & Results: 6 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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1Requesting the Autopsy Report

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Co-authored byChris M. Matsko, MD

Last Updated: August 12, 2023

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An autopsy is a post mortem medical procedure performed by a qualified pathologist. Most autopsies take two to four hours and will not interfere with having the body on view at the funeral. Autopsy information can be important to next of kin to offer closure, to aid in legal matters, to offer insight on genetic conditions that might affect other family members, or to help explain an unexpected death. Different states have varying privacy laws on who can obtain autopsy reports and results.

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Requesting the Autopsy Report

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  1. 1

    Understand the purpose of an autopsy. An autopsy is an examination of the body of a deceased person, carried out by a qualified pathologist. The pathologist creates a written record of the autopsy findings, including the microscopic and laboratory tests. Next of kin or other authorized individuals can then request copies of these reports. There are two types of autopsies:[1]

    • The hospital autopsy: This type is often referred to as a post-mortem exam or necropsy. During hospital autopsies, the pathologist use surgical techniques to perform an external and internal examination on the deceased. Hospital autopsies are performed to help answer specific questions about the cause of death and identify diseases or problems related to the patient's death.
    • The forensic autopsy: This type determines the person's cause of death, as well as the manner of death (for example, natural, accident, suicide, homicide). Forensic autopsies are also performed to determine the identity of the deceased, as well as the time of death and/or the fatal injury. The evidence collected from the body during a forensic autopsy may be used in a criminal case to prove or disprove a person's guilt or innocence.
  2. 2

    Check your state's policy on autopsy results. Autopsy policies vary from state to state, and country to country. However, in general, most final autopsy reports are available 30 to 45 days after the autopsy. Complex cases may take up to 90 days before the final autopsy results are complete and available.[2]

    • A comprehensive chart of the autopsy policy by state is available here. Some states limit autopsy reports to next of kin or individuals who have a legitimate interest in the report. Several states make autopsy reports public records, though in certain circumstances, the records can be withheld.[3]

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  3. 3

    Write a request for the autopsy report. Most states require a written request for the autopsy report. The details on the request, as well as the address for the request and the request form, can be found on the website of your state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and/or coroner's office.

    • In most written requests, you will need to include your full name, your address, your telephone number, your relationship to the deceased, their date of death, and the county in which the death occurred.
    • In some states, such as Iowa and Maryland, the cause and manner of death of the deceased becomes part of the public record. The remainder of the information contained within the autopsy report is confidential and considered a medical record. Next of kin can write a request for the detailed autopsy report, as well as other legitimate individuals such as treating physicians, law enforcement investigating the death, and county attorneys.[4]
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Retrieving the Autopsy Report

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  1. 1

    View the autopsy in person. In some states, for example Maryland, you can read and review the autopsy report in person by appointment at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, free of charge. However, you cannot copy the autopsy or take it with you without paying for a copy.

    • Check the website of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in your state for more information.
    • The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will have most of the information that you need to request an autopsy report. Most large cities and counties have a coroner's and medical examiner's office
  2. 2

    Pay for the report, if necessary. Most autopsy reports are provided at no charge to the next of kin and other legitimate individuals. However, some states, like Maryland and Texas, require a fee for a completed, detailed autopsy report.

    • The fee may vary. For example, the fee for an autopsy in Texas is $0.10 per a page,[5] and the fee for the autopsy in Maryland is $30 for family members.
  3. 3

    Receive the report by mail. Processing of your written request will vary state by state. However, you will receive the autopsy report via regular mail. Remember to be patient as this might take some time to receive.

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    What are the legal fees in Milwaukee, WI to see an autopsy report?

    Daniel Wozniczka, MD, MPH
    Internal Medicine Physician

    Dr. Wozniczka is an Internal Medicine Physician, who is focused on the intersection of medicine, economics, and policy. He has global healthcare experience in Sub Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. He serves currently as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service and a Medical Officer for the Epidemic Intelligence Service in the CDC. He completed his MD at Jagiellonian University in 2014, and also holds an MBA and Masters in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

    Daniel Wozniczka, MD, MPH

    Internal Medicine Physician

    Expert Answer

    Legal fees change according to the lawyer group. You should get multiple quotes to see which is the cheapest.

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      How to Obtain Autopsy Reports & Results: 6 Steps (with Pictures) (13)

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      About This Article

      How to Obtain Autopsy Reports & Results: 6 Steps (with Pictures) (26)

      Co-authored by:

      Chris M. Matsko, MD

      Family Medicine Physician

      This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017. This article has been viewed 360,019 times.

      115 votes - 60%

      Co-authors: 7

      Updated: August 12, 2023

      Views:360,019

      Categories: Health

      Article SummaryX

      Autopsy reports can help you find closure and give you insight into legal matters, especially if the person’s death was unexpected. Autopsy policies vary from state to state, however, most final autopsy reports become available 30-45 days after the autopsy. To obtain one, you’ll need to send in an autopsy request form to the coroner’s office, which can usually be found on your state’s medical examiner website. In most states, autopsy reports are provided at no charge, but in some areas, you may need to pay a fee for the report. Once your request is approved, you’ll receive the report by mail. To learn more about the difference between a hospital autopsy and a forensic autopsy, read on!

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      How to Obtain Autopsy Reports & Results: 6 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

      FAQs

      How do you get the results of an autopsy? ›

      You must write a formal request for the autopsy report. List the name of the deceased, county of death, your relationship, and your mailing address.

      What are the 7 steps of an autopsy? ›

      It contains detailed information about what happens in an autopsy.
      • STEP 1 External examination. ...
      • STEP 2 Internal examination. ...
      • STEP 3 Viewing the internal organs. ...
      • STEP 4 Removal of organs. ...
      • STEP 5 Removing the brain. ...
      • STEP 6 Examining the organs. ...
      • STEP 7 Returning organs. ...
      • STEP 8 Sewing up the body.

      Are pictures included in an autopsy report? ›

      Yes, some reports do include pictures and/or anatomical diagrams. We suggest that if you chose to request a copy of the report that you either ask for these images not to be included or have someone else receive the report on your behalf.

      What information can be obtained from an autopsy? ›

      An autopsy can give family members information in the case of suspected genetic illness. Medical science can learn about disease processes, such as atherosclerosis or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or the prevalence of particular diseases.

      How do I get a toxicology report for a deceased person? ›

      All reports generated by the medical examiner (Medical Examiner's Report, Autopsy Report, and Toxicology Report) are available to the legal next of kin upon written request using the OCME Record Request Form for Legal Next of Kin on the record request page.

      How long after death can a toxicology report be done? ›

      Popular “crime scene investigation” television programs are able to complete toxicology reports in a very short (and unrealistic) time frame. In reality, while an autopsy is usually completed within a day or two after a death, the final results of the toxicology report may take four to six weeks or longer.

      Where can I watch an autopsy? ›

      In this documentary series, forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden reveals the stories behind cases of unnatural or suspicious death. Get Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, all with ads, for $14.99/mo.

      How does autopsy work step by step? ›

      First, a visual exam of the entire body is done, including the organs and internal structures. Then, microscopic, chemical, and microbiological exams may be made of the organs, fluids, and tissues. All organs removed for examination are weighed, and a section is preserved for processing into microscopic slides.

      How many days after death is an autopsy done? ›

      A post-mortem will be carried out as soon as possible, usually within 2 to 3 working days of a person's death. In some cases, it may be possible for it to take place within 24 hours. Depending upon when the examination is due to take place, you may be able to see the body before the post-mortem is carried out.

      What is the data source for autopsy? ›

      Select the appropriate data source type. Disk Image or VM file: Includes images that are an exact copy of a hard drive or media card, or a virtual machine image. Local Disk: Includes Hard disk, Pendrive, memory card, etc. Logical Files. : Includes local folders or files.

      Are photos part of medical record? ›

      Patient photographs for treatment are considered part of their medical record. Consent is required for pictures used beyond direct patient care, such as for educational, research, or publication purposes.

      What type of evidence is an autopsy report? ›

      The medico-legal autopsy is performed in order to determine whether death was the result of natural disease or violence. The ultimate objective is to ascertain facts which may be used as substantive evidence to prove or disprove circumstances or conditions indicating legal responsibility.

      Can anyone read an autopsy report? ›

      The family (next-of-kin) is always entitled to receive a copy of the autopsy report. The hospital is not allowed to give out any information about an autopsy or to respond to inquiries about an autopsy from any third parties.

      What is required in an autopsy report? ›

      An autopsy report includes details of all the observations, examinations and tests of the body. It typically states the cause of death and the general manner of death. Based on scientific and medical evidence, the pathologist lists the manner of death as one of five categories: Accident.

      What body part is always removed during autopsy? ›

      He explained: "I remove your tongue during an autopsy – we need to make sure you didn't bite down on it, make sure you don't have drugs in the back of your throat. "So if you have a tongue ring, that one comes out, but nipples, nose, ears, eyebrows, private parts..."

      Can you ask for an autopsy report? ›

      How to I Receive an Autopsy Report? If an autopsy is completed by a medical examiner, the next of kin must make a written request with the medical examiner's office to receive a copy of the report. Depending on the coroner's office, these reports may take weeks or months to receive.

      Do autopsy reports show cause of death? ›

      An autopsy report includes details of all the observations, examinations and tests of the body. It typically states the cause of death and the general manner of death.

      Why does it take so long to get autopsy results? ›

      Why does it take so long to get results? While the actual autopsy rarely takes longer than a few hours, the follow-up analysis, studies, tests, and consultation may take several weeks. Following the completion of the autopsy, the finding must be dictated, transcribed, proofread, and then signed.

      What happens when someone dies at home unexpectedly? ›

      If the cause of death is unknown, it is important you leave the area untouched (apart from any attempt at resuscitation). The Police will arrange for a funeral director to collect the deceased and take the body into their care, acting on behalf of the Coroner if the death is unexpected.

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