AUTOPSIES AND POSTMORTEMS

An autopsy or postmortem examination may be performed upon the body of a deceased person by a licensed physician or surgeon if consent has been given...by one of the following persons of sound mind and eighteen years of age or older in a written instrument.

In general, these persons may execute consent in the order named:

1. Deceased person during his lifetime;
2. Decedent's spouse;
3. Children;
4. Parents;
5. Brothers or sisters;
6. Any other relative or person who assumes custody of the body for burial. ORC § 2108.50

"Any licensed physician...who, in good faith and acting in reliance upon an instrument of consent for an autopsy or postmortem examination...and without actual knowledge of revocation of such consent, performs an autopsy or post-mortem examination is not liable in a civil or criminal action brought against him for such act." ORC § 2108.51

"When any person dies as a result of criminal or other violent means, or by casualty, or by suicide, or suddenly when in apparent health, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, the physician called in attendance... shall immediately notify the office of the coroner..." ORC § 313.12 If the coroner determines an autopsy is necessary, such autopsy shall be performed. ORC § 313.13

The records of the coroner are open to inspection by the public. ORC § 313.10

A county coroner performing an autopsy pursuant to ORC § 313.13 is permitted to remove from the body of the deceased:

1. One or both eyes for use by an eye bank. ORC § 2108.60 (B)
2. The pituitary gland for use by an organization for research and the manufacture of a hormone needed for the treatment of hypopituitary dwarfs. ORC § 2108.53 (A)

The county coroner may authorize a physician, embalmer authorized by ORC § 2108.071, or eye technician to enucleate the decedent's eyes for use by an eye bank as defined in ORC § 2108.60.

(See also: VITAL STATISTICS)

AUTOPSIES AND POSTMORTEMS