Did you know there are private forensics labs that can provide services like autopsies and medical report reviews? And sometimes these labs serve in a formal capacity for a county government in place of a medical examiner.
A private forensics laboratory can be just as well equipped as a medical examiner’s office and employ board-certified pathologists. The key differences are that private forensics labs often provide a broader scope of services and can be hired by families to perform an autopsy.
Keep reading to find out why people enlist the help of a private forensics lab.
The County Doesn’t Have a Medical Examiner’s Office
In states like Texas, not every county has a medical examiner’s office. Only counties with 1 million or more residents are required to have a medical examiner’s office to serve the surrounding area. In counties with fewer residents, the county can charter one on its own or use a private forensics lab for medical examiner services.
A Death Occurs Outside of a County’s Jurisdiction
In rural areas that are outside of county lines, a private forensics lab may handle the medical examiner’s services or they could assist with the process. It depends on whether the location is inside or outside of the county’s jurisdiction.
The Family Want a Second Opinion After a Medical Examiner’s Autopsy
Often a family comes to a private forensics lab because they aren’t happy with how the medical examiner’s autopsy was conducted and they want a second opinion. Typically, it’s because the information was complete, appears to be inaccurate or the medical examiner’s practices are questionable.
The Medical Examiner’s Autopsy Was Inconclusive
Sometimes a medical examiner’s autopsy is inconclusive. If that happens the family may want to have a second autopsy performed by a private forensics lab in the hopes that new evidence will be found that can explain the death and determine a cause.
The Family is in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Unfortunately, physicians are humans that can make mistakes like anyone else. The difference is, their mistakes can cost a person their life. When the family believes a medical professional is to blame for a loved one’s death they may initiate a medical malpractice lawsuit. In those cases it can be beneficial to have an autopsy report.
The Family Needs Proof for Insurance Payouts
If a death is questionable or uncertain, the family may have difficulty receiving insurance payouts. Insurance companies may require evidence that there was no wrongdoing or they may require a cause of death be determined first.
Direct Cremate understands that when a death requires an autopsy or investigation it can be extremely stressful and emotional. The timeline for autopsies can make it difficult to arrange a funeral. We help families by working directly with private forensics labs and medical examiner’s offices to arrange services. We’ll make sure that your loved one’s cremation happens seamlessly only after all of the critical services have been performed.
Give us a call or text if you have questions about how we coordinate with medical examiners and forensics labs.
