NORTHWEST AUTOPSY SERVICES
WHY AN AUTOPSY????????
This is a question that many people have asked me in the past. One of the reasons for this, I feel, is the lack of education the general public has in the area of death.
Death is a subject we rarely would even think about discussing at the dinner table or a social event. It is the "unspoken fact" that is going to happen to all of us. What is much more painful sometimes is the experience of the death of a loved one whether it is expected or not. So many times when we lose a family member or friend, there are many unanswered questions that plague one or more family members. What caused the death? Is there a genetic connection with the cause of death and can my children and grandchildren be affected? Was there neglect or abuse involved? Could this be a hidden suicide or homicide? And the list can go on.
The word "autopsy" has been given a bad name by movies and novels. The morgue is always placed somewhere dark and dingy with weird staff members roaming around. But this is not the way it really is! The autopsy itself is a surgical procedure and does not maim and disfigure the body. Unless injuries have occurred that have affected areas of the face and body, the autopsy procedure will not be noticed during a funeral.
The autopsy is the means to begin to answer some of the questions family members may have. It is conducted by a licensed forensic pathologist. In the past, if a family member wanted to have an autopsy conducted on a loved one, it was usually done by a hospital pathologist or by a Coroner/Medical Examiner system. In recent years, because of budget constraints, hospitals are accepting less and less autopsies to the family unless they fall within their administrative guidelines. This leaves the private sector without the resource to have this type of service available when it is needed. Private companies like NAS can provide this service in Washington State.
There are often many legal issues surrounding a death that may not fall within the Coroner/Medical Examiner jurisdiction. These medicolegal cases will require a complete autopsy for determination of exact cause of death as well, as documentation for testifying purposes. The Forensic Pathologists are expert witnesses in the field of medicolegal death cases and can provide expert testimony when needed in court.
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can
anyone request an autopsy? Any
immediate member of a family can request an autopsy.
"Immediate" member is a spouse, surviving children. If
there is no spouse or children, then a father, mother, etc.
What
is a Coroner or Medical Examiner Case? The
Coroner or Medical Examiner is mandated by the State which they have
jurisdiction. The cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the
Coroner or Medical Examiner usually deals with sudden, unexpected,
violent or traumatic death. The Coroner or Medical Examiner makes the
decision on what type of cases involving a natural death that may
fall under their jurisdiction. Usually, if the person has significant
well-documented medical history, the case would be released by the
Coroner or Medical Examiner. Each jurisdiction has different
guidelines they follow so each jurisdiction may be different from
County to County. NAS is not affiliated with a Coroner or Medical
Examiner's system.
Where
are the private autopsies performed? NAS
autopsies are performed in the funeral home where the body is
located. If the funeral home does not have the accommodations for the
autopsy, another location is provided by NAS.
Who
performs the Autopsy? NAS has
Board Certified Forensic Pathologists that conduct the autopsy and
are assisted by Forensic Technicians. There is one Pathologist and
one Forensic Technician at every autopsy.
Do
I need to have a Complete autopsy? NAS
suggests a family to have a complete autopsy. This will help to
eliminate any questions that may arise after the body is buried or
cremated. There are several occasions when a complete autopsy would
not be necessary however. Many families are interested only in brain
studies, so only the removal of the brain is necessary, for example.
The best advice is to contact NAS and a Forensic Consultant can
assist you with these decisions.
Will
I be able to view the body after an autopsy? Of
course. The autopsy is a surgical procedure and does not maim the
body. Extreme care and respect is taken with the body so as not to
interfere with the viewing process. NAS staff consults with the
Funeral Director at the funeral home to make sure the family is not
affected at a viewing.
How
much is an Autopsy? The cost of an
autopsy varies according to the type of autopsy and the agency
performing it. NAS price range for a complete autopsy is between
$2200 - $3500 per autopsy depending on the type and location of the
autopsy. For more information on pricing please contact NAS at
(253)845-3511 or email: info@emphasis-technography.com
How
soon do I need to have an autopsy performed? NAS
would like to conduct the autopsy as soon as possible. The longer
the body remains at a funeral home, even under refrigeration, the
greater the chances of artifacts from autolysis interfering with the
autopsy results.
How
long does it take to get a report? NAS
will contact the person giving the consent for the autopsy with
preliminary results right after the autopsy. A complete report will
be mailed to the client family members within thirty days after the
autopsy. If special tests have to be conducted, it could take longer
for a completed report. Brain analysis usually takes approximately
four to six weeks to complete.
What
about conducting an investigation beyond the autopsy? NAS
is a division of Emphasis Technography, a licensed Private
Investigation Agency. Complete investigation of accidental,
wrongful, criminal, medical misadventure, suicide, work-place, or
other deaths is available from Emphasis Technography. Click
here to view an overview of available investigative services.
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