How is the cause and manner of death determined?
A full external and internal examination (autopsy) may be required to determine the cause and manner of death. In other cases, an external examination may be all that is necessary. While the decision to perform an autopsy is determined by the medical examiner, legal next of kin may request an autopsy not be performed. Such requests may be made by calling the OCME Technical Operations Desk at 617-267-6767 ext 101. Doctors may take biological samples such as blood, tissue, organs, and/or other materials to study further in an effort to learn the cause and manner of death. Toxicology testing on some of these samples may be performed if the medical examiner believes that the results may directly affect the determination of cause or manner of death. These tests will not delay the release of the body to the next of kin. However, the results of such testing may take several weeks to finalize. All biological samples that are taken will be disposed of after a matter of time, sometimes weeks, so
