​​​​​​​​​

An Autopsy is a post-mortem (after death) examination of a body, including internal organs and structures, which is used to determine the cause and manner of death. An Autopsy Report is the written findings of the examination, which includes a cause and manner of death signed by the designated Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist).
Autopsy reports are generally available when all information necessary to determine the cause and manner of death has been completed. Typically, an autopsy report will become available to request within 12 weeks of the autopsy being completed. The completion time varies in every case, as some cases are more complex than others are.
The Medical Examiner's Office generally does not take custody of a person's personal belongings. The involved law enforcement agency assumes custody of all personal property. Therefore, family members should contact the involved law enforcement agency for personal belongings. The Medical Examiner's Office may have possession of property (for example clothes, shoes, small items in pockets) on the deceased’s person. If, by chance, a personal item did come in with your loved one, the property is documented, photographed, and returned to the funeral home with the body, or in special cases, released to law enforcement personnel. ​
Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, the entry of non-MEO personnel into the morgue is strictly prohibited. Once the autopsy/examination is completed, your loved one will be released to the funeral home of your choice, where you can see them once again. On rare occasions where there is a concern for identification, family members may come into the Medical Examiner's Office for a photograph viewing.
Deaths are to be reported to the Medical examiner under the following conditions: ● The death is under unnatural or suspicious circumstances ● A lack of medical history and care provider to sign the death certificate Call the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office at 561-688-4575 if the death fits the above criteria. ​
​

​
  • Question Mark IconWhat does the Medical Examiner Do?
    Answer:

    Office of the Medical Examiner

    Palm Beach County

    The Office of the Medical Examiner is responsible by law for conducting investigations, performing examinations and/or autopsies, and determining the cause and manner of death when circumstances meet the criteria outlined in Florida State Statute 406.11.

    Investigations and Assignments

    Each death within Palm Beach County that falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office is assigned both a Forensic Investigator and a Forensic Pathologist. Together, they are responsible not only for determining the cause and manner of death, but also for assisting the decedent's family with any questions or concerns related to the case.

    Office Hours and Contact

    Our Investigators operate 24 hours a day, but normal administrative office hours are:
    Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    For questions regarding specific cases, please contact our office during normal business hours at (561) 688-4575.

    Examinations and Release of the Decedent

    After our staff completes the required investigation, the decedent will be transported to our office for examination. Depending on the time of arrival and the circumstances of death, the decedent is generally ready for release to a funeral home of choice on the same or following day.

    If an autopsy is performed, please note that the procedure does not interfere with or prevent an open-casket viewing at the funeral home, if desired.
    Our office does not permit viewings by family or the public at our facility. All viewing requests must be arranged directly through the funeral home.

    Funeral and Cremation Arrangements

    It is the responsibility of the legal next-of-kin to make arrangements with a funeral home or cremation service for the removal of the decedent from our facility.
    The Office of the Medical Examiner does not handle cremations or funerals. Our sole responsibility is to determine the cause and manner of death.

    As a County agency operating under Florida Statute 406, we do not charge families for the services we provide, other than a nominal fee for copies of reports or cremation approvals.​



  • Question Mark IconWhat is CME - Continuing Medical Education?
    Answer:

  • Question Mark IconWhy is an investigation necessary?
    Answer:
    In the case of unexpected or violent (non-natural) death the attending physician cannot legally sign a death certificate. Investigation is necessary to determine the cause and manner of death and establish the identity of the deceased before a Medical Examiner can sign the death certificate.
    As the last voice for the deceased, the Medical Examiner can uncover hidden evidence of injury to explain a sudden death or can document natural diseases to show that no foul play was involved in the death. Families of the deceased person rely on the Medical Examiner's determination to settle disputed issues in civil matters such as accident versus suicide or natural death. The offices of State Attorney, Public Defender and private attorneys rely on the Medical Examiner's determination to resolve issues of guilt or innocence. All persons rely on the Medical Examiner's determination in the pursuit of justice on behalf of the deceased person. 

  • Question Mark IconWhat is an Autopsy?
    Answer:
    An autopsy is a medical procedure that consists of a thorough examination performed on a body after death, to evaluate disease or injury that may be present and to determine the cause and manner of a person's death.

  • Question Mark IconWhen is a autopsy necessary?
    Answer:
    According to Florida State Law (F.S.S.406.11), a complete autopsy is most often performed in traumatic or violent deaths (gunshot, stab, electrocution, burn, poison, fall, drowning, starvation, suffocation, strangulation, etc.), any police custody death, suspected suicide or drug overdose and in most cases of child death. Investigation or autopsy is necessary in all traumatic deaths regardless of the duration of survival or hospitalization of the injured person if no complete recovery was made after the injury. An autopsy is not normally performed when the death appears to be from natural causes, adequate medical history exists, and there are no indications of foul play. The Medical Examiner often receives such cases only because the attending physician is not in Florida and cannot sign a Florida death certificate or the person has never been to a physician.

  • Question Mark IconIs permission needed for organ or tissue donation?
    Answer:
    According to Florida State Law, only the next-of-kin can grant permission for organ or tissue donation. Permission for donation is requested by the organ procurement agency. The medical examiner must grant permission for the agency to proceed with organ or tissue procurement to ensure that the duties of the Office of the Medical Examiner are not compromised. To protect certain forensic evidence, the medical examiner may object to any organ or tissue procurement procedure.

  • Question Mark IconHow to order a Death Certificate?
    Answer: