Autopsies in Las Animas County

The decision to conduct an autopsy is made by the Las Animas County Coroner following the guidelines set by Colorado State Statute and forensic pathology standards. A certified forensic pathologist performs the forensic autopsies.

Whether or not an autopsy is performed depends on various factors, including the circumstances of death. Not all deaths require an autopsy, and it is not conducted in every investigation. If you have a strong preference for or against a forensic autopsy, please contact the Las Animas County Coroner's Office directly to express your wishes.

Notification Regarding an Autopsy

Before the post-mortem examination, a staff member from the Coroner's Office will reach out to you to provide details about the process and explain the reasons for the decision. If you have any questions or concerns at this time, please don't hesitate to ask, and the staff will assist you and address your requests.

Autopsy Results

Due to the comprehensive nature of a forensic autopsy and the associated testing, it usually takes approximately eight to ten weeks for the results to be finalized and published. Please note that this timeframe is an estimate, and each case may vary slightly. Throughout the process, a representative from the Coroner's Office will contact you at key points to keep you informed and answer any questions you may have. You can also reach out to the Las Animas County Coroner's Office with any inquiries during the process.

Autopsy Report

Once the final autopsy report is available, a representative from the Coroner's Office will contact you to share the findings. If you wish, you may request a copy of the autopsy report, and it will be mailed to you.

Private Party Autopsies

If the coroner decides against conducting an autopsy for your family member, as the legal next-of-kin, you have the option to pursue a private party autopsy. You can hire a forensic pathologist for the private autopsy, which may incur costs of up to $5000.