• Question Mark IconWhat does the Medical Examiner Do?
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  • Question Mark IconWhat is CME - Continuing Medical Education?
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  • 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?
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    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?
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    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?
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    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?
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