Government Code - GOV
TITLE 3. GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES [23000 - 33205]
( Title 3 added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424. ) DIVISION 2. OFFICERS [24000 - 28085]
( Division 2 added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424. ) PART 3. OTHER OFFICERS [26500 - 27773]
( Part 3 added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424. ) CHAPTER 10. Coroner [27460 - 27530]
( Chapter 10 added by Stats. 1947, Ch. 424. ) ARTICLE 2.5. Autopsy [27520 - 27522]
( Article 2.5 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1946. ) 27520.
(a) The coroner shall cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has not already been performed, if the surviving spouse requests him or her to do so in writing. If there is no surviving spouse, the coroner shall cause an autopsy to be performed if requested to do so in writing by a surviving child or parent, or if there is no surviving child or parent, by the next of kin of the deceased.
(b) The coroner may cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has already been performed, if the surviving spouse requests him or her to do so in writing. If there is no surviving spouse, the coroner may
cause an autopsy to be performed if requested to do so in writing by a surviving child or parent, or if there is no surviving child or parent, by the next of kin of the deceased.
(c) The cost of an autopsy requested pursuant to either subdivision (a) or (b) shall be borne by the person requesting that it be performed.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 787, Sec. 6. (SB 1189) Effective January 1, 2017.)