Request a Copy of an Autopsy Report - Families

Autopsy reports are not public record. However, if you are authorized, you may be able to receive a copy of a report by following the steps below.
Most reports are completed in 90 days.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Phone

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The Details   of Request a Copy of an Autopsy Report - Families

What you need   for Request a Copy of an Autopsy Report - Families

When our office performs an autopsy on a decedent, we will produce either an autopsy report or a summary of autopsy findings. To request a copy of a report, you must meet eligibility requirements. It is important to note that we do not perform an autopsy for every decedent that comes into our office.

In accordance with 505 CMR 1you may be authorized to receive a report if you are:

  • A surviving spouse or Next of Kin
    • The Office may, in its discretion, provide a copy of the autopsy report of a decedent to the decedent’s surviving spouse or next of kin, who shall have priority in the following order
  • Spouse
  • Adult children
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Grandparents
  • Aunt/Uncle
  • Niece/Nephew
  • Cousins
  • Guardian of decedent at time of death

Note: For open law enforcement cases, release of an autopsy report requires approval from the district attorney investigating the death.

All information submitted on this form will be verified with our records. Any discrepancies will void request.

How to request   Request a Copy of an Autopsy Report - Families

Please download this form, fill it out, print it, sign it, and then send it to the Boston office:

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

ATTN: OCME Report Request

720 Albany Street

Boston, MA 02118

OCME Report Request Form - Admin (2024 Updated)

Please download this form, fill it out, print it, sign it, and then send it via email to CMEAdmins1@mass.gov.

OCME Report Request Form - Admin (2024 Updated)

Contact   for Request a Copy of an Autopsy Report - Families

Address
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Headquarters
720 Albany St., Boston , MA 02118
Westfield Office
178 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA 01085
Cape Office
1 Simpkins Road, Sandwich, MA 02563
Phone

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Administrative Business Offices open M-F 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Fax
Boston Fax (617) 266-6763
Westfield Fax (413) 538-6862
Cape Fax (508) 539-0283

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