Pennsylvania § 13919 Autopsy, inquest and records

Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 13919 — Autopsy, inquest and records

Pennsylvania § 13919

JurisdictionPennsylvania

Title 16COUNTIES

PartPART IV

Ch. 139CORONER

Subch.GENERAL PROVISIONS

This text of Pennsylvania § 13919 (Autopsy, inquest and records) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

16 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 13919 (2026).

Text

(a)Autopsy.--If, after investigation, the coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death, the coroner shall perform or order an autopsy on the body.

(b)Inquest.--If the coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death following an autopsy, the coroner may conduct an inquest upon a view of the body as provided by law. At the inquest, the coroner shall have the following duties:

(1)Ascertain the cause of death.

(2)Determine if an individual other than the deceased was criminally responsible by act or neglect and the identity of the individual who may be responsible.

(3)Examine further evidence and witnesses regarding the cause of death.

(c)Recording.--The proceedings at the inquest shall be recorded, at the expense of the county, in a manner to be provide

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(a) Autopsy.--If, after investigation, the coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death, the coroner shall perform or order an autopsy on the body.

(b) Inquest.--If the coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death following an autopsy, the coroner may conduct an inquest upon a view of the body as provided by law. At the inquest, the coroner shall have the following duties:

(1) Ascertain the cause of death.

(2) Determine if an individual other than the deceased was criminally responsible by act or neglect and the identity of the individual who may be responsible.

(3) Examine further evidence and witnesses regarding the cause of death.

(c) Recording.--The proceedings at the inquest shall be recorded, at the expense of the county, in a manner to be provided by the county commissioners.

(d) Retention and disposal.--

(1) The coroner may retain a deoxyribonucleic acid specimen for diagnostic, evidentiary or confirmatory purposes.

(2) Retained tissue, organs, blood, other bodily fluid, gas or another specimen from an autopsy are medical waste and shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws.

(e) Liability.--A coroner who, in good faith, orders or performs a medical examination or autopsy under statutory authority shall be immune from civil liability for damages for ordering or performing the examination or autopsy.