Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I file a complaint against a Medical Examiner?
  • Answer: Provide a written complaint with any and all supporting documentation to:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Medical Examiners Commission
Government Analyst II, Chad Lucas
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489

OR

Email the information to StevenChadLucas@fdle.state.fl.us.


Question: How do I contact the Board of Medicine?
  • Answer: The Board of Medicine is frequently confused with the Medical Examiners Commission. The Board of Medicine handles medical licenses for physicians. To reach the Board of Medicine, you may click for the website, call (850) 488-0595 or email to: MQA_Medicine@doh.state.fl.us


Question: When will the Drugs in Deceased Persons Report be published?
  • Answer: The Drugs in Deceased Persons Report is published twice a year. The Interim Report for the first half of the current year is usually available in April or May of the following year. The complete Annual Report will be available in October or November of the following year.

Question: Who do I contact to receive a copy of a death certificate?
  • Answer: Death certificates may be obtained from Vital Statistics.

Question: Who do I contact for an autopsy report or case information regarding an autopsy?
  • Answer: For an autopsy report or case information regarding an autopsy, please contact the District Medical Examiner’s office in which the death occurred. The Medical Examiners Commission does not retain copies of autopsy reports.

Question: How long does it usually take for an autopsy report to be completed?
  • Answer: This often depends on the number and complexity of tests that need to be performed on bodily fluid and tissue samples taken at autopsy. Toxicology tests, a biological analysis, and sometimes even DNA testing could take weeks or even months to complete, especially if re-testing is needed. Usually, one can expect testing to take at least fifteen weeks to get the results and then it can be expected for autopsy reports to be finalized soon thereafter unless there are other factors involved that cause delay.