Things to Know Before You Go
Autopsy 101
The rate of autopsies has plummeted over the decades and this is troubling.
Competent autopsies are beneficial, and needed, in a wide range of circumstances.
No National Standards, Little Oversight
Our nationwide investigation has found that there is no federal oversight of death investigators or the offices in which they work.
Forensic Pathologists: The Death Detectives
They specialize in determining the causes of sudden, unexpected or violent deaths. But experts say the U.S. is facing a critical shortage of these professionals.
How Qualified Is Your Coroner?
In some states, the only requirement for the job is to be at least 18 years of age.
Documenting Death -- The Certificate
The U.S. started maintaining vital records in 1900 and by the mid-1930s all states were collecting mortality data. How valuable -- and accurate -- is this information?
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