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Office of the Medical Examiner FAQs

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1. Print a PDF version of the Information for Next of Kin pamphlet:

Click here.

2. Why is the Office of the Medical Examiner involved?

Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) §11-593 requires that the following deaths be reported to the Office of the Medical Examiner:

•Death when not under the current care of a health care provider as defined pursuant to section §36-301. •Death resulting from violence. •Unexpected or unexplained death. •Death of a person in a custodial agency as defined in section §13-4401. •Unexpected or unexplained death of an infant or child. •Death occurring in a suspicious, unusual or non-natural manner, including death from an accident believed to be related to the deceased person's occupation or employment. •Death occurring as a result of anesthetic or surgical procedures. •Death suspected to be caused by a previously unreported or undiagnosed disease that constitutes a threat to public safety. •Death involving unidentifiable bodies.

It is up to the Medical Examiner to determine if a case meets jurisdictional requirements to further investigate and certify the cause and manner of death on the death certificate.

3. Why is the death being investigated?

Medicolegal death investigations are conducted for the best interest of the public at large and only under the circumstances listed above. Not all investigations require examination of the decedent or a forensic autopsy.

If it is determined that the decedent requires examination, the body will be transported to 701 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85007.

4. How are bodies transported for examination, and where?

If it is determined that the body requires examination, we will make arrangements for transportation to our office at:
701 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007

5. What types of exams are performed?

Each case is investigated on a case by case basis. If an examination is needed, it will be completed by a medical doctor who specializes in Forensic Pathology. The OME performs three types of examinations: autopsy, partial autopsy, and external examination. The Medical Examiner determines the exam type based on information gathered during the investigation. In order to meet our mission and statutory duties, an autopsy or partial autopsy may be required. Additionally, an autopsy may not always be completed if requested. 

Please make the investigator aware of any specific requests you have regarding the examination. The Medical Examiner will take family wishes into consideration; however, the Office of the Medical Examiner is not always able to accommodate these requests. 

6. What if I do not want an autopsy of my family member?

Please make the Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) – the Office of the Medical Examiner representative who responds to the scene - aware of any specific requests you have regarding the examination. The Investigations Section also is staffed 24/7 and can be reached at 602-506-1138. The Office of the Medical Examiner will attempt to honor the family’s wishes if possible; however, an internal examination may be required in order to meet our statutory duties and mission.

7. Can I request an autopsy of my family member?

If the Medical Examiner has assumed jurisdiction of the Death Certificate, you may request an autopsy. Please make the Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) – the Office of the Medical Examiner representative who responds to the scene - aware of any specific questions you have about the death as an autopsy may or may not be the best way to answer them. The Investigations Section also is staffed 24/7 and can be reached at 602-506-1138. The Medical Examiner will attempt to honor your wishes; however, this is not always possible and an autopsy may not be completed on every case, even if requested.

8. Is an open casket viewing possible after an autopsy has been completed?

Our procedures do not typically limit the ability to have an open casket viewing. Your funeral service provider will be able to provide the best information about the ability to view once they have received and prepared the body.

9. How is the time of death determined?

The time of death is documented as the time the decedent is discovered or pronounced dead.

10. What is toxicology testing?

Toxicology is the detection of drugs and/or poisons in biological tissues and is different from hospital drug screening in that it is forensic testing and more rigorous and comprehensive. The Medical Examiner will decide if toxicology testing is necessary; not all cases require testing. Testing can take several months to complete.

11. How is identification confirmed?

Your family member is identified through visual comparison to a legal form of identification, photograph identification by family, or forensic methods including fingerprints, DNA, dental charts, or other unique identifying marks. In situations where an immediate family member questions the identification or wishes to assist in the identification process, a written or electronic request can be submitted to request an identification meeting pursuant to A.R.S. §11-597.01

Note: The Office of the Medical Examiner is a forensic medical setting and only the viewing of a photograph is used for identification. Physical viewings are not allowed at this location.

12. Can I request a viewing of my family member?

We do not allow viewings at our facility; however, in situations where an immediate family member questions the identification or otherwise wishes to assist in the identification process, that person may make a written or electronic request for an “Identification Meeting” pursuant to A.R.S §11-597.01 (Abby’s Law).

Request for an “Identification Meeting” must be made in writing to the Office of the Medical Examiner by an immediate family member. “Immediate family member” is defined in §11-597.01 as a person 18 years of age or older who is the decedent’s:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Sibling
- Legal guardian

The request may be delivered via mail, in person during normal business hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday), or faxed to 602-372-8696.

For additional information on this process please call 602-506-3322. Note: only a photograph for identification can be provided; we do not allow physical viewings.

13. What is the process for the release of my family member?

Release will occur after the Medical Examiner has completed the examination. To initiate the release process, the next of kin will need to contact a service provider (e.g. funeral home, mortuary, cremation society, transportation provider).

The mortuary, funeral home, or other service provider will follow up on behalf of the family to coordinate the release. 

Your service provider also will request certain vital statistic information that must be recorded on the death certificate.

14. If I cannot select a funeral home or mortuary will the Office of the Medical Examiner provide one?

No. Once you have selected a service provider you will need to notify the Office of the Medical Examiner at 602-506-1138. If one is not selected within 72 hours of the examination then a rotation funeral home will be used. The family may be subject to any fees accrued by the rotation funeral home.

15. How do I receive my family member's personal effects?

Any personal effects obtained by the OME will be released with the decedent to the selected funeral home/mortuary unless those items are deemed evidence, in which case they will be released to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

16. How quickly will cause and manner of death be determined?

Cause and manner of death may be determined the day of the examination. However, further testing or investigation may be required to accurately determine cause and manner of death.

You can check cause and manner of death online.

17. What is in the Medical Examiner Report and how do I obtain a copy?

A Medical Examiner Report is completed for all jurisdictional cases and summarizes the circumstances surrounding the death, medical and social histories, and forensic examination findings. The Medical Examiner Report may contain details about medical procedures, injuries, and medical findings which may be upsetting for some next of kin. 

Copies of the report(s) are available upon completion of the case. Completion time will vary depending on the complexity, circumstances, and need for additional testing or investigation required for each individual case. The OME strives to complete 90% of our cases within 90 days. 

For updates on cause and manner of death and availability of the report, you can visit the Case Status feature on our website. You may also request a report on the website by clicking here.

Alternatively, you may contact Administrative Support Services at (602) 506-3322 to request a copy of the report. There is no fee to obtain a copy of the report if you are legal next of kin or if you request an electronic report. 

18. How do I receive death benefits if the cause and manner of death is pending?

The “pending” death certificate is legal proof of death. Some insurance companies and financial institutions may accept pending death certificates for the purpose of paying benefits or handling other accounts. Additional documentations may be required and in some instances the Family Advocate is available to assist you with matter. 

19. How do I obtain a copy of the Death Certificate?

You may obtain a death certificate through your designated funeral home/mortuary or from the Maricopa County Department of Public Heath, Office of Vital Registration. The OME is responsible for completing the medical portion of the death certificate within 72 hours of the examination (excluding weekends and holidays), in compliance with A.R.S. §36-325. In some cases, a specific cause and/or manner of death in unable to be determined after examination without further laboratory testing or investigation. In those instances, the cause and manner of death are listed as "Pending". Once the investigation is concluded, an amendment to the death certificate is filed with the Office of Vital Records. The funeral home/mortuary is responsible for completing the demographic portion of the death certificate. 

A death certificate can be requested in-person or online. For additional information please visit the Office of Vital Registration website. 

20. I still have questions or need assistance regarding the death of a loved one. Who can help me?

When someone suffers a loss, it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed or like your life is out of control. The Family Advocate can be reached at 602-506-3176. She is available to speak with families, answer questions, and provide emotional support resources, including:
• Current case status updates
• Liaison assistance with Office of the Medical Examiner and outside agencies
• Counseling services and support group referrals
• Youth Services referrals
• Community information and referral services