Thanks to long time and past EWGS president, Jeanne Coe, who worked for Spokane County for decades, she shared some interesting trivia with us about this office and its duties.
Think you might want to get a DNA sample of a relative who ends up in the county medical examiner's office? Think again...
Policy: "All records and reports of examinations or autopsies.....are confidential by law and will only be disclosed ......as allowed by law.. all death investigation case information ..... is to be kept confidential...except as exempted in..... Medical Examiner Office policies."
All that being said, "individuals as defined by law can obtain autopsy reports (and) complete case files.." after the necessary forms and fees have been obtained. And "Medical Examiners are available to discuss autopsies and policies and practices with individuals that have an interest in a particular case."
In the 15-pages of information that Jeanne shared, there was no mention of DNA, so we cannot say for sure that such a request would be either approved or rejected.
So if you learn that your estranged cousin was found dead, and you jump on a potential opportunity to get that long-wanted DNA sample, you may or may not do so. Now you know.
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