Toxicology

In some cases, blood will be sent to a toxicology laboratory for testing to determine what substances may be in the decedent's system and what those levels are.

This testing can take 4-6 weeks to come back at which point the results are sent to the assigned Forensic Pathologist who will use the results to make the final determination of cause and manner of the death. The entire process can take up to 8 weeks.

A Death Certificate can be issued for the case as soon as a mortuary has been chosen by the legal next of kin. The cause/manner of death will be listed as "pending toxicology" and will be sufficient for use to make final determinations. Once the final cause and manner have been determined we make those changes with the State Department of Health and an updated Death Certificate can be obtained with the updated information. Pending cases for toxicology does not delay the decedent being released to the funeral home.