District 5 Medical Examiner
Serving Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion & Sumter Counties Accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners
Family FAQS continued
Are medical examiners’ offices accredited?
The National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) administers a voluntary program for the inspection and accreditation of medical examiners’ offices. N.A.M.E.’s standards are meant to represent the minimum standards for an adequate medicolegal death investigation system and emphasize the policies and procedures of the office.
The District 5 Medical Examiner’s Office has been accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners since July 14, 2009.
When is an investigation by the Medical Examiner’s Office necessary?
In the case of an unexpected or possibly unnatural death, an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death by the Medical Examiner’s Office is legally required to determine the cause and manner of death and to establish the identity of the deceased before a medical examiner can sign the death certificate.
The medical examiner can often discover hidden evidence of injury to explain a sudden death or can document natural diseases to show that no foul play was involved in the death.
Governmental and private agencies, such insurance companies, as well as family members, rely on the findings of the medical examiner to resolve questioned issues regarding deaths.
How is geographic jurisdiction over a body determined?
The state of Florida is divided into 24 medical examiner districts. The place where a person dies or where the deceased’s body is found or is brought ashore from water determines the geographic jurisdiction.
The District 5 Medical Examiner’s Office serves only Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties.
What is an autopsy?
An autopsy is an intricate medical procedure in which a body is examined after death. The procedure often includes the performance of laboratory tests, such as toxicology studies. The actual postmortem examination includes the removal and inspection of all major organ systems for the purpose of documenting injury and/or disease or the lack thereof. An autopsy typically does not interfere with the final viewing and funeral of the deceased. Funeral directors prepare a body after autopsy according to the wishes of the family.
Mission Statement
The mission of the District 5 Medical Examiner's Office is to fulfill the community needs outlined in FL Statutes (Sec 406), and to be of service to families of the deceased and to government agencies in the counties falling under the jurisdiction of Florida District 5 in death investigations.
Information for Families
Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss.
Here you can find answers to some commonly asked questions of importance to families of the deceased.
For Medical Professionals
Often, medical professionals and facilities have questions relating to various issues such as correct completion of the death certificate, their obligations under Florida law,
and other questions for the medical examiner's office.
Here you can find answers to some of those questions.
copyright 2009
Medicus Forensics, PA
All rights reserved
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