Expert consultation.
Forensic pathology serves the living as well as the dead. NAAG consultation is built around five products, delivered by the physicians and scientists who do the work and testify to it. Every engagement belongs to one of three areas of practice: criminal, civil, or next of kin.
Medically reviewed by Evan W. Matshes, MD, FRCPC, D-ABP, Medical Director and Chief Forensic Pathologist · Updated
The five products
- 01
Verbal opinion
A comprehensive review of the case materials, followed by a consultation in which the assigned physician explains the findings and the opinions they support. In complex matters, a short written narrative summary is available on request.
- 02
Expert report
A comprehensive, professionally assembled written report with every necessary exhibit, including custom medical illustrations where the case requires them. Prepared to the standard we would defend under cross-examination.
- 03
Deep Dive examination
Specialist re-examination of retained organs, tissues and skeletal remains: the brain, the bones, or the whole case. See the Deep Dive collection.
- 04
Testimony
Deposition, hearing or trial testimony by the physician who did the work. A testimony day covers up to eight hours portal to portal, waiting time included, and all same-day travel.
- 05
Reserving a court date
Trial preparation (file retrieval, re-review of the report, exhibits and materials, and an initial conference with counsel) and twelve months of scheduling administration, with unlimited continuances, trailing dates and re-settings.
The three areas of practice
- 06
Criminal: standard cases
Typical medicolegal matters whose evidence lies mainly in the coroner or medical examiner record: gunshot and stab wounds, blunt trauma, overdose and thermal deaths.
- 07
Criminal: complex cases
Pediatric deaths and allegations of child abuse, deaths in custody or pursuit, strangulation, deaths delayed by medical care, and every capital case, regardless of the allegations.
- 08
Prosecution
Case review, second opinion with report, and testimony for prosecutors, expedited as a service to the California communities we serve. Testimony on cases a NAAG physician examined for a coroner under Government Code § 27491 follows the county’s Sheriff-Coroner agreement, on the same terms in every county.
- 09
Civil: dependency
Rush consultation for time-sensitive child-safety proceedings, almost always involving living children, with a verbal opinion and a written declaration for litigation.
- 10
Civil: litigation
Wrongful death, medical negligence, personal injury, divorce and other actions between parties, with half-day and full-day deposition options and the full Deep Dive menu.
- 11
Injuries in the living
Interpretation of injuries in living children and adults: alleged child abuse, survived strangulation, fracture timing and mechanism, and injuries at issue in criminal, dependency and family-law matters.
- 12
Next of kin
Families retaining NAAG directly, without counsel. A NAAG death investigator is your point of contact and liaison with the forensic pathologist. Case review with verbal opinions, written reports, and the full private autopsy program.
On-demand expertise
- 13
The specialist roster
When a case calls for it: forensic pathologists, neuropathologists, radiologists, child abuse pediatricians, surgical and molecular pathologists, internists, a forensic attorney, medical and death investigators, paralegals and case managers, and laboratory technicians. Support staff are used first wherever possible, to keep cost down.
Fee schedules on request
We provide current fee schedules directly, so that you receive the one that governs your matter. Every service is quoted in writing before work begins.
Expert Consultation: the 2026–2027 guide
For prosecutors, defense, civil counsel and the Department of Defense. A complete printable guide to these services.
Start with a conversation.
Tell us who you are and, in general terms, what you need. The right member of our team will respond.
San Diego, CA 92121
Please don't email case records or images. The case request form collects what we need to open your matter; we'll arrange secure transfer of records after that.