It might be hard to imagine, but in the 1950s half of people who died in a hospital had an autopsy afterward. You read that right. According to the Yale School of Medicine the hospital autopsy rate used to be 50%. But it’s steadily declined since that time.
Today, only about 5-7% of deaths involve an autopsy. However, that’s still a substantial number given that over 3 million people die in the U.S. every year.
One of the reasons autopsies were so common in the 1950s is because they were used as tools for learning and medical training. Pathologists have long argued that there’s a lot to be gained from performing autopsies that give us a closer look at the mechanisms of death. Many think that the autopsy rate is too low and could be slowing down medical advancements. Opting for a medical autopsy could be an option in the near future for people who want to advance science without donating their body.
Here’s the thing, though. Every state has different requirements and regulations regarding autopsies, and those regulations apply right down to the autopsy reports. In this guide we’re breaking down autopsy reports in Texas so the 5-7% of families that are waiting on one will know how to make sense of it.
What is an Autopsy Report?
An autopsy report is an official document that notes the finding of an autopsy. It is created by the medical examiner’s office that performed the autopsy.
It can take a while for an autopsy report to be created, even after the death certificate has been created. In these cases, the death certificate may state the cause of death is pending. Typically it takes up to 90 days for autopsy results to be finalized and extra time is needed to create the report.
Information That’s in a Texas Autopsy Report
Interpreting the results of an autopsy report is easier when you know what to expect and what you’re looking at. An autopsy report in Texas contains a lot of the same information that’s pretty much in line with other states.
There are a lot of details in the short document that’s broken down into four sections:
Medical Examiner Office Information
The first thing that’s noted at the top of the autopsy report is information for the medical examiner’s office that performed the autopsy. It will include basic contact information such as the office’s location and phone number.
Deceased’s Information
The autopsy report will also include information about the deceased that is used to identify them. In addition to the deceased’s name, there will be physical characteristics like eye color and hair color.
Autopsy Findings
After all of the basic information is noted the report will go into the autopsy findings. This is where you’ll find information about the deceased’s physical condition at the time of death as well as the observations of the pathologist and the results of any other tests that were performed.
In this section of the autopsy report there will be two images: the outline of a body from the front and an outline of a body from the back. Markings will be made on the images to note where there were injuries or evidence indicating the cause of death. For example, the pathologist would note a spot where there was bruising.
There will also be written notes describing the observations and findings in more detail.
Cause and Manner of Death
Towards the bottom of the autopsy report you’ll see two sections. One section is where the cause of death is noted, and the other section includes options for the manner of death, one of which will be selected.
Just below that there will be a portion noting that the pathologist verifies the information to be accurate and true along with the pathologist’s signature.
Who Can Request an Autopsy Report in Texas
In Texas, an autopsy report is a public record according to the Texas Public Information Act. That means anyone can request a copy of an autopsy report as long as they follow the proper procedures. And that’s something the family will have to do because a report won’t be issued automatically.
You’ll need to make a written request through the county medical examiner who conducted the autopsy. In the Austin area the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office handles autopsies and the corresponding reports. Families can also make an open records request with the county.
Be prepared to wait a little while to receive the autopsy report. It usually takes 8-12 weeks to process the request and deliver the report. Something else to know is that an autopsy report in Texas won’t be released if it’s connected to an ongoing investigation.
Before the report is released, the next of kin can request that certain details be redacted so that they aren’t visible to those that request a copy of the autopsy report. The request may be granted to protect the deceased’s privacy or exclude graphic details related to the cause of death.
Inconclusive Autopsies in Texas
Something few families are prepared for after waiting months for the autopsy report is getting inconclusive results. It’s possible in Texas for a cause and/or manner of death to be undetermined.
This can occur if the body was badly decomposed or the deceased had various medical conditions. When a medical examiner’s office has an inconclusive autopsy the family may want to consider using a private forensic laboratory to perform a second autopsy. A different pathologist may notice something the medical examiner missed, or they may be able to conduct different tests to gather additional evidence.
Cremation.Green works with families to arrange eco-friendly funeral services, and we can also coordinate directly with a medical examiner’s office to make necessary arrangements. If you need assistance give us a call, text or email at your convenience.