Q: is a medical examiner supposed to contact next of kin when a person dies to ask if they want an autospy?
-My mother passed away on tuesday, and upon talking to her doctor he expressed she was in good health aside from hypertension and gallbladder issues. I was not contacted asking if i wanted a autopsy and he himself was not. she received the covid vaccine two days prior to her passing so i feel as if they are trying to cover things up on their end. I just want to know in what way should this have been handled.
A: First off, I am sorry for your loss. The loss of a parent leaves a huge whole in one's heart. The State of Connecticut requires that the Medical Examiner examine deaths due to accident, homicide, suicide, and unknown causes, specifically "sudden or unexpected deaths not caused by readily recognizable disease." The law requires the next of kin to consent to an autopsy, but does not specifically give the next of kin the right to ask for an autopsy. You could try to ask them to perform an autopsy, but be prepared to wait for a while because the ME's office is backed up.
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