Frequently Asked Questions

No.

Typically, identification is made at the place of death by a friend or family member or by comparison with a photo-identification. Identification of a person not visually identifiable is achieved through dental examination, x-rays, or other forensic techniques. In some instances, identification is established using facts gathered by the assistant medical examiner together with individual, unique characteristics of the deceased (scars, tattoos, etc.).

No, information is only provided upon direct request from the legal next-of-kin.

A medicolegal autopsy is the external and internal examination of the body after death using surgical techniques performed by a forensic pathologist (medical examiner) who is specially trained to investigate deaths to determine the cause and manner of death.

An inspection is the external examination of the body after death performed by a forensic pathologist, no internal examination or surgical techniques are performed.

Final Reports of Autopsy can take weeks to several months to prepare due to the detailed studies that may be performed during the autopsy procedure.

The medical examiner 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.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is located on Baird 1 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, the same level as the Emergency Department.