Medical Examiner
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office provides forensic death investigation services for deaths that occur without medical attention, from unnatural causes, from violence, or under other circumstances requiring investigation. This article explains the purpose of the office, the types of cases it handles, how families and other users can access case information, request records, understand release procedures, and contact the correct office for Medical Examiner services.
Medical Examiner Services
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office serves the public by assisting law enforcement and determining the cause and manner of death when required by Texas law. The office operates under Section 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and investigates deaths that are unattended, unexplained, violent, unnatural, or otherwise within the Medical Examiner’s jurisdiction.
The office provides forensic death investigations and independent autopsy services while supporting public health, safety, and the criminal justice system. The Medical Examiner’s work focuses on determining both the cause of death, such as disease, injury, or poisoning, and the manner of death, such as natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, or undetermined when applicable.
The Medical Examiner’s Office serves a district that includes Tarrant, Denton, Johnson, and Parker Counties. Cases from these counties may be investigated by the office when they meet the requirements for Medical Examiner involvement.
Office Responsibilities
The Medical Examiner division includes several areas that work together during a death investigation. These services include forensic death investigations, forensic pathology, morgue services, forensic photography, human identification, anthropology, histology, records, and vital statistics functions.
Forensic investigators collect information related to the circumstances surrounding a death. They may work with law enforcement agencies, hospitals, physicians, families, employers, and other sources to gather information needed to establish identification and determine the cause and manner of death.
Forensic pathologists are specially trained physicians who evaluate medical history, injuries, disease, toxicology information, and other evidence to determine the medical explanation for a death. An examination may include external review, laboratory testing, or an autopsy when the circumstances require it.
Cases Reported To The Office
Certain deaths must be reported to the Medical Examiner’s Office under Texas law. The office investigates deaths that fall within its legal authority rather than every death that occurs in the county.
Deaths that must be reported include:
Deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission to a medical facility, with the time beginning at triage.
Deaths caused by suspected accidents, homicides, suicides, or other non-natural causes.
Deaths where a body is found and the cause or circumstances are unknown.
Suicides regardless of how long the person was hospitalized.
Deaths occurring without physician attendance when the cause is unknown.
Deaths of children under six years of age regardless of hospitalization length.
The Report A Death information explains the circumstances that require notification and the information that should be available when reporting a case.
Information For Reporting
When reporting a death to the Medical Examiner’s Office, having complete information available can help the office begin its review. Medical facilities and reporting parties should prepare relevant information about the deceased person and the circumstances surrounding the death.
Information that may be needed includes:
Patient chart information.
Face sheet or patient demographic information.
Terminal diagnosis, medical history, and reason for admission.
Next-of-kin or emergency contact information.
Details about where the person came from and how the incident occurred.
The Medical Examiner’s Office is a forensic facility and does not operate as a county or city morgue. The office does not store, embalm, or cremate bodies, and it does not perform medical autopsies or examinations simply upon request.
Death Investigations Process
A Medical Examiner investigation begins after a reportable death is received. A forensic investigator may respond to the scene or hospital where the death occurred. The investigator collects information, prepares a case report, and works with other agencies and individuals who may provide information relevant to identification and cause and manner of death.
Each case receives a unique case number when remains are entered into the Medical Examiner system. The case number helps identify records connected with the investigation and should not be confused with other numbers from law enforcement, courts, hospitals, or funeral service providers.
Autopsy And Examinations
An autopsy is not automatically performed for every Medical Examiner case. The Medical Examiner determines whether an autopsy is necessary after reviewing the circumstances of each death. In some cases, the cause and manner of death may be determined through external examination or medical review.
When an autopsy is performed, forensic pathologists examine the body for evidence of disease, injury, or other factors that may explain the death. Samples may be collected for toxicology or other testing when needed.
The examination process may produce several types of reports, including:
Death investigation reports.
Physician examination reports.
Toxicology reports.
Additional reports may exist depending on the complexity of the investigation, including specialized testing or identification-related records.
Case Search And Findings
The Medical Examiner provides public access to case status and related findings through its online case records system. The Medical Examiner’s Case Records Portal allows users to search available cases using different criteria.
Search options include:
Case number.
County.
Date of death range, with a 12-month limit.
First and last name.
Manner of death.
Users can select cases to view additional details. The portal also provides options to subscribe to case updates for selected cases and export search results.
Searching Common Records
When searching for a case, users should enter information as accurately as possible. A case number provides the most direct search method when available. Name searches may use partial matches and are not case-sensitive according to the Medical Examiner case portal instructions.
Medical Examiner case records are separate from court records, jail records, police reports, and other government systems. A search performed in one system may not provide information stored by another agency.
Requesting Medical Examiner Records
The Medical Examiner’s Office provides procedures for requesting examination reports, photographs, and other records. Requests should be made through the appropriate Medical Examiner records process rather than through unrelated county offices.
The Medical Examiner forms page provides forms and instructions for requesting records and authorizing certain releases.
Examination Report Requests
After an examination is completed, related testing and reports are received, and the examination report is finalized and transcribed, copies of reports may be requested.
A request for an examination report requires completion of the Autopsy/Exam Report Request Form. The request must be mailed with payment made payable to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. Accepted payment forms include check, cashier’s check, or money order as described in the Medical Examiner records instructions.
Different record types require separate payments. For example, a request for certified copies and digital photographs requires separate payments for each requested record type.
Photograph Requests
Photographs may be requested by the legal next-of-kin. The request requires a notarized letter containing specific information about the deceased person, the requester, the relationship to the deceased, the requested information, mailing address, and notarized signature.
The requester must also provide a copy of identification and payment as required by the Medical Examiner’s Office instructions.
Family Release Procedures
Families working with the Medical Examiner’s Office should understand that the office does not provide viewing facilities for bodies. Viewing arrangements should be made through the funeral home or crematory handling final arrangements.
When identification is required, a Medical Examiner representative may contact the next-of-kin to discuss identification methods and collect needed information.
Release Of Remains
Release of a decedent’s body requires written authorization from the nearest legal next-of-kin or an authorized designee. The funeral home receiving the decedent may provide the completed authorization form to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The office performs funeral home releases on weekdays, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Releases are not performed on weekends or holidays.
Family Records Access
Legal next-of-kin who need reports, photographs, or other information should follow the Medical Examiner’s records request procedures. The office provides specific requirements depending on the type of record requested.
The Medical Examiner family services information provides guidance related to obtaining reports, requesting photographs, release of remains, and autopsy waiver information.
Funeral Home Information
Funeral homes handling Medical Examiner cases may need to complete specific documentation before receiving remains or requesting permits. The Medical Examiner’s Office provides separate procedures for funeral service providers.
Cremation permits may be requested by the owner or operator of a crematory when required under Texas law. Requests must include the required documentation described by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Funeral homes should verify that submitted information is accurate because incorrect information may delay processing.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Families and other users can avoid delays by using the correct Medical Examiner process and providing complete information.
Do not request Medical Examiner records from unrelated county departments.
Do not confuse a Medical Examiner case number with a court case number or other agency reference number.
Do not assume every reported death requires an autopsy.
Do not send incomplete record requests without required forms or payment information.
Do not request body viewing through the Medical Examiner’s Office because viewing arrangements are handled through the funeral home or crematory.
Medical Examiner Office Details
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office is available for public assistance regarding Medical Examiner cases, records, and related procedures. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding county and federal holidays. Assistance is available 24 hours a day by phone.
Relevant Departments And Offices
Tarrant County Medical Examiner
200 Feliks Gwozdz Place
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Phone: 817-920-5700
Medical Examiner FAQs
How can I check the status of a Medical Examiner case?
You can search available case information through the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Case Records Portal. The search system allows users to look up cases by case number, county, date of death range, first and last name, or manner of death. Case details can be viewed after selecting a record, and users may subscribe to updates for selected cases when available.
Do all cases investigated by the office receive an autopsy?
No. An autopsy is not required for every Medical Examiner case. After reviewing the circumstances of a death, the Medical Examiner determines whether an autopsy is necessary. In some situations, the cause and manner of death may be established through an external examination, medical review, or other investigative information without performing an autopsy.
How can a family request reports or other records?
Families and eligible requesters can follow the procedures listed on the Medical Examiner forms and records request page. Examination reports become available after the examination is completed, related testing is received, and the report has been finalized. Different record types, such as reports and photographs, may have separate request requirements.
Can family members object to an autopsy?
When a family member objects to an autopsy because of religious, cultural, or other beliefs, the Medical Examiner’s Office will consider the request. The nearest legal next-of-kin must complete and submit an Autopsy Waiver form before the scheduled examination when requesting that no autopsy be performed.
What happens when remains need to be released?
Release of remains requires written authorization from the nearest legal next-of-kin or an authorized designee. The completed authorization is handled through the required release process. Funeral home releases are performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., and releases are not performed on weekends or holidays.