Medical Examiner FAQ's

What is the purpose of the Medical Examiner’s Office?

The Office of the Medical Examiner investigates and determines the cause and manner of deaths occurring in Westchester "due to unlawful act, criminal neglect, violence, casualties, or by sudden or unexplained circumstances." 

Types of Reportable Deaths:

All deaths in Westchester County due to (or suspected to be due to) unlawful act, criminal neglect, violence, casualties, or by sudden or unexplained circumstances are immediately reportable to the M.E. Reportable cases include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Unattended deaths and deaths in public places (local police must be notified)
• Death or suspicion of death under these circumstances:
  • Homicide
  • Suicide
  • Accident: traffic (auto, bicycle, pedestrian, train); falls (at home or otherwise); occupational (i.e., while at work),etc.
• Deaths in legal custody (precinct, jail, prison, correctional institution, hospital prison ward); includes persons on parole and those remanded by court for psychiatric treatment
• Deaths due directly to trauma or to sequelae of recent or remote trauma including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, radiational trauma
• Deaths in drug addicts and deaths related to drugs
• Deaths during or directly related to a therapeutic, diagnostic or operative procedure
• Deaths due to poisoning (including food poisonings) and anaphylactic reactions
• Maternal deaths associated with delivery or abortion
• Suspected child abuse; infants born of drug addicted mothers
• Crib deaths or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Hospice deaths occurring outside of a hospital

Please read the Guide to Reporting Deaths to the Medical Examiner for more information.

What to do when a loved one has passed?

You may contact the funeral home of your choice and advise them that your loved one is at the Medical Examiner’s Office. Once the examination is complete, we will release the deceased directly to the funeral home.

Where will my loved one be taken?

Your loved one will be placed in the custody of the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office. We are located at the Grasslands Campus in Valhalla at 10 Dana Road.

Is it necessary for the family to come to the Medical Examiner’s Office for identification purposes?

No. In a majority of cases, visual identification at our office is not required. If required, you will be notified by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Does an autopsy need to be performed?

The Medical Examiner will determine to what extent an autopsy or external examination is necessary to determine the cause and manner of death.  A decision will be made after all medical records and investigative reports have been reviewed. 

Do you need consent from next-of-kin to perform an autopsy?

No. Autopsies (when deemed necessary by the Medical Examiner) do not require consent from the next-of-kin. If you object to an autopsy for religious or cultural reasons, please inform our office immediately.

Is there a fee for an autopsy/external examination?

No. Autopsies authorized by the Medical Examiner’s Office are conducted at Westchester County’s expense. There is, however, a nominal fee for autopsy reports.      

How to obtain a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Report:

Please complete the Request for Autopsy Report form and mail it to:

When the report has been completed (approximately 16 or more weeks), you will be notified of the fee required for obtaining a copy of the report. Acceptable forms of payment include check or money order payable to “Westchester County” in the amount stated. 

Where can I obtain a Death Certificate?

There are multiple ways to obtain a death certificate:

1. Your funeral director may be able to obtain a copy for you.
2. You may obtain a copy of the death certificate from the Registrar’s Office in the city/town where the death occurred.

Death Certificates or Amended Certificates cannot be obtained from The Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office

What does it mean when a death certificate reads ‘pending further studies’?

Death certificates will state “pending further studies” when further testing is required to determine cause of death. This can include toxicology, histology, or other laboratory tests. This testing does not prevent the deceased from being released to the funeral home.  

What if I cannot afford funeral arrangements?

Please contact a funeral home for options or contact the Westchester County Public Administrator at 914-995-3700.

Does the Westchester County Medical Examiner do private autopsies by request?

No. However, our office can provide contact information for pathologists who can perform private autopsies. Please contact our office to obtain this information.

Do I need cremation clearance?

No. Westchester County does not require cremation clearance.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Medical Examiner’s Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914-231-1600.