Request an Autopsy Report
Online Request:
To submit an autopsy report request online and pay with a debit card or credit card, go the following:
In-person or Mail Request:
If your presence is required for the purpose of identification of a decedent, the investigator assigned to the case will contact you to make an appointment.
If you are requesting to recover personal property belonging to a decedent, it can be mailed to the primary next of kin or designated representative at their expense. This person may set up a FedEx or similar account and provide the information to this department for billing purposes.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please call the on-duty investigator at 808-768-3090 and select option 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should contact a funeral home and schedule an appointment with a funeral director. Let the funeral director know that your loved one is currently in the care of the Department of the Medical Examiner. The funeral home will coordinate with the Department to arrange the transfer of your loved one for funeral or memorial services.
State and City laws require the Department of the Medical Examiner to investigate certain types of deaths to determine the cause and manner of death.
These situations include, but are not limited to:
- Deaths caused by violence, substance abuse, trauma, accidents, or suicide
- Deaths in which the person did not have a regular physician
- Deaths that occur in prisons or while in law enforcement custody
- Deaths that occur within 24 hours after being admitted to a hospital or care facility
- Deaths that appear suspicious or unusual in any way
- Deaths that are sudden and unexpected when in apparent health
Your loved one will be taken to the Department of the Medical Examiner facility, located at:
835 Iwilei Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
The Department of the Medical Examiner will determine what type of examination is needed to establish the cause and manner of death.
An autopsy is not required in every case, and family permission is not needed for the Medical Examiner to perform one when it is necessary under State and City laws.
If you have questions or concerns, please call the Department of the Medical Examiner at (808) 768-3090, option 2. An investigator will be available to assist you.
In most cases, it is not necessary for family members or friends to come to the Department of the Medical Examiner to make an identification.
If photographic identification or additional confirmation is needed, a staff member will contact you directly with instructions.
No. The Department of the Medical Examiner is not designed or equipped to accommodate viewings or visits by family members.
Arrangements for viewing can be made directly with the funeral home of your choice, once your loved one has been released from our care.