§45-27-60.07. Autopsies or postmortem examinations.

(a) An autopsy or postmortem examination may be performed by a state medical examiner at the written direction of the Escambia County District Attorney or his or her authorized representative in any case in which the district attorney is conducting a criminal investigation.

(b) The county medical examiner or the State Medical Examiner may authorize an autopsy or postmortem examination, or the autopsy may be performed by the State Medical Examiner when the county medical examiner suspects the death was caused by a criminal act or omission, or the cause of death is obscure or, in his or her opinion, an autopsy is advisable and in the public interest.

(c) In a death where the county medical examiner does not deem it advisable and in the public interest that an autopsy be performed, but the next of kin of the deceased requests that an autopsy be performed, the State Medical Examiner, or a designated pathologist, may perform the autopsy and the cost therefor shall be paid by the next of kin. The funds paid by the next of kin shall be deposited by the State Treasurer into the Forensic Services Trust Fund.

(Act 97-571, p. 1010, §8.)