Is an Autopsy Required for an Unattended Death?
The definition of an unattended death refers to when a decomposing body is discovered after a period of time. It appears to happen naturally though rather suddenly, leaving many families to wonder if an autopsy is necessary. Yes, it is usually required after an unattended death, but not always. It depends on the situation, local and state laws, and family wishes.
The National Crime Scene Cleanup team is here to explain the purpose of an autopsy and the likelihood that your family member may need one. If you’re visiting this page because you need help sorting out what to do after an unattended death, contact us. Crews are standing by 24/7 to answer your questions and help clean up. Plus, services are usually covered by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
Let’s start with the common types of unattended deaths that lead to an autopsy.
Unattended Situations That Typically Require an Autopsy
A county coroner or medical examiner (ME) will usually investigate all sorts of surprise deaths, like:
- Accidental deaths caused by slips, trips and falls at home or work
- Fatal motor vehicle deaths
- Suspected murders
- All types of suspected suicide
- Death by gunshots or explosions
- Drug overdoses
- Medically unattended deaths (when a person should have been under medical care)
- And so on
As a general rule of thumb, if a death is unexpected, there should be an autopsy.
What is the Purpose of an Autopsy?
The purpose of the autopsy is to discover and record the specific reason someone died and the conditions that led to it. Thanks to remarkable medical and technological advances, American society is no longer satisfied with “natural causes” as a cause of death on a death certificate–it must be thoroughly documented.
The final cause of death is important to:
- The decedent’s family
- Insurance companies
- Local governments
- Consumer watchdog organizations
- And the medical community
But there are rare occasions when a complete autopsy is not required.
Is an Autopsy Always Required for an Unattended Death?
Almost always, yes. It really depends on the laws in the state you’re in. However, more often than not if an elderly relative died peacefully in their home in their sleep, your state probably requires the coroner to look into it. The coroner will call the decedent’s doctor, and they’ll discuss medical records. If their doctor knew the decedent was suffering from heart failure, the coroner could do a few tests and list heart failure as the cause of death.
In some states, the coroner must look into a medically-unattended death. For example, California requires an autopsy if it’s been more than 20 days since the decedent saw a doctor or doctor’s assistant.
New York requires very unattended death to be investigated by a coroner. Depending on what they find, they may or may not do a complete autopsy.
A Complete Autopsy is Available Though Not Required
When someone dies in a hospital or at home on hospice, the attending physician usually records the cause of death. But some families will fund a private autopsy by a third party, especially if they suspect foul play or medical malpractice.
Sometimes, families order an additional autopsy because they disagree with the coroner’s findings. Now you’re wondering, “Should I order a private autopsy? How much do they cost?”
About Third-Party Autopsies
Sometimes families disagree with a cause of death. Perhaps they doubt the coroner’s intentions, which is common when someone dies while incarcerated. Other times, the family is unaware of a decedent’s medical conditions, or they suspect foul play (like poisoning.)
But autopsies are very invasive. They can also be costly, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 nationwide.
Furthermore, they don’t happen overnight. You can expect a third-party autopsy to take up to 60 days.
So, if you genuinely believe your loved one was poisoned or beaten to death by correctional officers, an outside autopsy is a worthwhile investment. But if it’s a choice of lesser evils, like the difference between congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction (heart attack), maybe it’s best to let your loved one’s remains be at peace, so the family can grieve and move on.
The Choice is Yours
The choice to order an autopsy, like the choice between cremation and burial, is one of the many decisions you’ll need to make after an unattended death. First, go through your loved one’s paperwork and try to find a will or any other written directions. Then, talk to the rest of the family.
Finally, contact the professionals at National Crime Scene Cleanup. We can help get the property restored and properly sanitized and disinfected — without any more trauma to your family — during this emotional time.
