Medical Examiner - FAQ's
Where will my relative or friend be taken?
If the decedent is not released directly to a funeral home, he or she will be conveyed to the Medical Examiner's facility. The Medical Examiner's Office is located at 8600 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, WI. Our phone number is (262) 653-3869
Is it necessary for a friend or relative to come to the Medical Examiner's Office to identify the body?
Not usually. In the majority or cases, visual identification at the Medical Examiner's Office is not necessary. An investigator will advise you of the need for a visual identification.
Why is the Medical Examiner's Office involved?
Pursuant to WI State Statute 979.01, this office is required to investigate deaths which fall into the following categories, in part:
- All deaths in which there are unexplained, unusual or suspicious circumstances.
- All homicides.
- All suicides.
- All maternal deaths following abortion.
- All deaths due to poisoning, whether homicidal, suicidal or accidental.
- All deaths following accidents, whether the injury is or is not the primary cause of death.
- When there was no physician, etc., in attendance within 30 days preceding death.
- When a physician refuses to sign or cannot be obtained to sign the death certificate.
Will an autopsy be performed?
An autopsy will be performed when there is a need to establish or confirm a cause and manner of death for the purpose of issuing a death certificate, in cases involving criminal or suspected criminal wrongdoing, and in any case in which an autopsy is considered to be prudent at the Medical Examiner's discretion.
Will an autopsy prevent a funeral service or viewing?
No. The autopsy is a surgical examination of the body performed with care and sensitivity. The procedure does not prevent the body from being from being viewed by family and friends, or preclude a funeral service.
How long will the body remain in the Medical Examiner's facility?
Generally, it takes about 8 to 24 hours to complete our investigation and examination. In some situations, it may take longer; however, there are also situations in which the body can be released immediately to the funeral director.
What should I do after being made aware of the death, and the involvement of the Medical Examiner?
Select a funeral director, and advise the funeral director that the death is being handled by the Medical Examiner. Funeral directors are familiar with the operation of our office, and will assist you in making all arrangements for final disposition of your loved one, including obtaining the death certificate.
Will it be necessary to come to the Medical Examiner's Office to sign a form authorizing the release of the body to the funeral home?
No. A funeral director licensed by the State of Wisconsin and retained by you may sign all forms required by this office for the release of the body.
Will it be necessary to come to the Medical Examiner's Office to recover personal property that accompanied the body to the office?
No. The funeral director may also sign for the release of personal property not being held as evidence by this office.
If the family feels the need to secure the personal effects, such items will be released to the authorized next-of-kin with proper identification.
Will I be able to get copies of the Medical Examiner's reports?
One copy of the investigator's report, autopsy report and toxicology report (when applicable) will be made available to the nearest next-of-kin at no cost, once the case is closed. There is a per page charge for all subsequent copy requests plus any shipping charges when necessary. To request a copy of the reports, please contact our office.
When will I be able to obtain a death certificate?
In accordance with the state law, a death certificate is to be completed by the Medical Examiner within 5 to 6 days of notification of death. The death certificate is normally presented for completion to the Medical Examiner by a funeral director.
Following completion of the death certificate, it is returned to the funeral director, who files the completed death certificate with the appropriate public agency. Once the completed death certificate has been filed with the agency, a certified copy of the death certificate will be available to the family, etc.
Arrangements to obtain certified copies of the death certificate are handled for the family by the funeral director.
NOTE: On occasion, an exact cause or manner of death is not immediately determined following an autopsy. Special laboratory tests or other types of investigation might be required. As a result, there are occasions when a completed or certified death certificate will not be available for 8 to 10 weeks, or longer. In those situations, a pending death certificate will be filed within 10 to 12 days of death, and later replaced with an Amended death certificate once the cause and/or manner of death has been established.
Will it be possible to donate organs or tissue?
In many cases, yes, depending on the circumstances of the death. The Medical Examiner is required by law to contact the appropriate donor agency and make that agency aware of the death. The donor agency will contact the family to discuss donation opportunities.