Forensic Pathology
Knowledgeable Autopsies and Consulting Services
Private Autopsies
An autopsy is a thorough medical procedure with the purpose of establishing the cause and manner of death. This knowledge can help provide closure and reassurance that your loved one received appropriate medical care. It can bestow information about infectious, environmental, and genetic causes of death that could potentially affect family members. Preliminary findings will be communicated within 7 days. The final autopsy report takes a minimum of 8 weeks to complete depending on the extent of work that is required.
After consulting with you, we will determine the type of autopsy that will best answer your questions at the lowest possible cost. You can be assured that the autopsy will not be disfiguring and will not interfere with funeral plans. Evisceration can be performed at your funeral facility or at our state-of-the-art laboratory.
Toxicology
Our reference testing lab, NMS Labs, is the premier toxicology lab in the USA. Assays look for specific medications, drugs of abuse, alcohols and heavy metals. The basic panel performed in most autopsies includes tests for acetone, amphetamines, barbiturates, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, ethanol, fentanyl, isopropanol, methadone, methamphetamine, methanol, opiates, oxycodone, and phencyclidine. Virtually any additional drug can be assayed for an additional charge. The presence and amount of each substance in the body at the time of death is provided. Results typically take less than 8 weeks.
DNA
Genetic testing can identify unknown remains, provide parentage testing, and even determine the cause of death. DNA testing can offer a wealth of information about inheritable diseases. We provide testing through our sister organization, Invitae. DNA results typically take 4-6 weeks.
Consultation
If an autopsy has been performed elsewhere and questions still remain, Autopsy PC offers second opinion autopsies. Our pathologists have extensive experience with lawyers and law enforcement. We can review outside autopsy reports, accident reports, medical records, and laboratory findings.
Why perform an autopsy?
Forty percent of autopsies reveal diseases unknown to the treating physician. Fifteen to thirty percent of autopsies find that the cause of death listed in the medical record or on the death certificate is wrong. Five to ten percent of the time, diagnostic error contributed to the person’s demise. Five to ten percent of autopsies reveal a diagnostic error that could have contributed to the person’s demise.
Our comprehensive services include fetal autopsies for inborn or acquired questions, unexplained symptoms or conditions, litigation such as worker’s compensation, exposure to toxic materials such as asbestos, sudden or unexpected deaths, diagnosing dementia, possible medical malpractice, or wrongful death cases.
Procedure Pricing
Complete Autopsy
Including brain, toxicology, and transportation.
$5,500
Complete Body Cavity
Excluding brain, including toxicology, and transportation.
$5,000
Single Body Cavity
Including transportation.
$4,500
External Examination
Including transportation.
$4,000
Brain Removal
Including transportation.
$4,000
Neuropathology Consultation
Including transportation.
$5,000
Toxicology Only
Including transportation.
$2,500
Genetic Analysis
Including transportation.
$4,000
Autopsy PC takes all forms of major credit cards, personal check, cashier’s check, money orders, bank transfers, and cash.
Payment must be made prior to the start of the autopsy.