What does homicide mean on a death certificate?

Homicide is defined as the action of one person directly causing the death of another. A death that occurs during and is related to the commission of a felony is also considered homicide.

Who signs the consent for an autopsy report?

The physician providing clinical care for the patient is responsible for obtaining the consent for autopsy from the next of kin.

Who can have access to information obtained from an autopsy?

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 will an autopsy report show?

The autopsy report describes the autopsy procedure, the microscopic findings, and the medical diagnoses. The report emphasizes the relationship or correlation between clinical findings (the doctor’s examination, laboratory tests, radiology findings, etc.) and pathologic findings (those made from the autopsy).

Do all deaths get autopsy?

No, in fact, most people do not get an autopsy when they die. In cases of suspicious deaths, the medical examiner or coroner can order an autopsy to be performed, even without the consent of the next of kin. An autopsy can also help provide closure to grieving families if there is uncertainty as to the cause of death.

How long does it take for an autopsy report to come back?

Autopsies usually take two to four hours to perform. Preliminary results can be released within 24 hours, but the full results of an autopsy may take up to six weeks to prepare.

Are autopsies public information?

Autopsy reports prepared by the Medical Examiner are public records.

Does an autopsy always show cause of death?

In rare cases, a definitive cause of death may not be identified following a complete and thorough autopsy. Although this quite unsatisfying for the pathologist and the family, a “negative” autopsy can still prove to be of vital importance.

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