                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

AUTOPSIES (§ 32.1-285)

A. If, in the opinion of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it is
advisable and in the public interest that an autopsy be made as part of the
investigation of the death, or if an autopsy is requested by the attorney for
the Commonwealth or by a judge of the circuit court of the county or city
wherein such body is or where death occurred or wherein any injury contributing
to or causing death was sustained, or if the decedent is an inmate in the
custody of the Department of Corrections, an autopsy shall be performed by the
Chief Medical Examiner, an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, or a pathologist
with whom the Commissioner has entered into an agreement in accordance with
&#xA7; 32.1-281. Upon petition of a member of the immediate family or the spouse
of the deceased in a case of death by injury, such circuit court may, for good
cause shown, order an autopsy, after providing notice and an opportunity to be
heard to the attorney for the Commonwealth for the jurisdiction wherein the
injury contributing to or causing death was sustained or where death occurred.
Further, in all cases of death suspected to be attributable to Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS), an autopsy shall be advisable and in the public interest
and shall be performed as required by &#xA7; 32.1-285.1. A full record and
report of the facts developed by the autopsy and findings of the person making
such autopsy shall be promptly made and filed with the Office of the Chief
Medical Examiner and a copy furnished the judge or attorney for the Commonwealth
requesting such autopsy. In the discretion of the Chief Medical Examiner or an
Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, a copy of any autopsy report or findings may
be furnished to any appropriate attorney for the Commonwealth and to the
appropriate law-enforcement agency investigating the death.

B. In the case of a child death investigation that indicates child abuse or
neglect contributed to the death, or that the child suffered from abuse and
neglect, the case shall be immediately reported to the child protective services
unit of the local Department of Social Services by the Chief Medical Examiner,
an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, or a medical examiner appointed pursuant to
&#xA7; 32.1-282.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 32-31.19; 1952, c. 318; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 475; 1979,
c. 711; 1989, c. 66; 1991, c. 644; 1993, c. 965; 2003, c. 368; 2014, c. 583;
2023, cc. 477, 478.