Every question a death raises, answered by a specialist.
NAAG brings forensic pathology, neuropathology, anthropology, imaging and odontology together in one institution, so subspecialists examine the evidence side by side rather than in sequence.
Medically reviewed by Evan W. Matshes, MD, FRCPC, D-ABP, Medical Director and Chief Forensic Pathologist · Updated
Forensic pathology is not about the dead. It is medicine for the law.
Forensic pathology is a recognized subspecialty of medicine. Forensic pathologists are physicians: after medical school they complete residency training in pathology and fellowship training in forensic pathology, and earn board certification by examination. They apply that specialized medical knowledge and skill to help solve legal problems, whether the person at the center of the question has died or is living.
- The living. Injuries in a child alleged to have been abused; strangulation of a survivor; the age and mechanism of a fracture; the pattern of injuries in a family-law dispute.
- The dead. The cause and manner of death; the timing and mechanism of injury; the identity of the deceased; the significance of disease, drugs and medical care.
- The law. Every opinion is formed to the standard of evidence a court requires, documented so another qualified expert can test it, and explained plainly to judges and juries.
Forensic pathology & medicolegal autopsy
Complete forensic autopsies and external examinations for adults, children and infants, performed by board-certified forensic pathologists under California Government Code § 27491 for sheriff-coroners, and privately for families and counsel.
We read the investigation, the medical records and the history before we begin, and integrate everything into a single coherent opinion. Every case is approached as if it will be scrutinized by a jury, an appellate court and an opposing expert, because any case can be.
- Complete documentation: photographs, imaging and records thorough enough for another qualified pathologist to test every conclusion.
- Appropriate ancillary testing: toxicology, histology, special stains, imaging, neuropathology and anthropology whenever the case demands them, with the reason documented.
- Transparent reasoning: our opinions explain what the evidence shows, what it does not, and how certain we are.
- Formal peer review is part of every death investigation service.
- Evidence preserved: slides and blocks kept indefinitely; wet tissue five years, and indefinitely in criminal cases.
Pediatric forensic pathology & the Deep Dive
Rigorous, protocol-driven examination of sudden unexpected infant and child deaths and of deaths in which abuse is alleged.
The Deep Dive is NAAG’s term for a secondary, full-throttle laboratory investigation of the biological evidence retained in a case, most often a child’s death in which abuse or homicide is alleged. It applies neuropathology, osteology, ophthalmology and imaging to the questions the first examination left open.
Forensic neuropathology & ophthalmology
Directed by Dr. Deirdre Amaro, board certified in neuropathology and forensic pathology. Each examination covers the brain, dura and spinal cord when submitted, with gross photography and every histology slide, special stain and immunostain the case needs.
We examine pediatric and adult brains, suspected criminal trauma, neurodegenerative disease including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and the cervical spine. Forensic ophthalmology examines formalin-fixed pediatric eyes, submitted in pairs.
Medical examiner and coroner offices nationwide use this service on a flat-fee basis, with reports within 60 days of accession, guaranteed. Suspected SUID and SUDC brain examinations are performed at no charge, funded by an internal NAAG grant.
Forensic anthropology & osteology
Directed by Dr. Madeleine Hinkes, Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, with Dr. Leah Auchter as pediatric forensic anthropologist.
Forensic anthropology: skeletal inventory and analysis of skeletonized, defleshed and mummified remains, including the biological profile and trauma. Forensic osteology: gross dissection and histology of formalin-fixed specimens such as adult and pediatric throats, pediatric rib cages with spine, pediatric long bones and skull fracture sites. Metabolic bone disease: high-resolution radiography, vitamin D testing and bone-fragility evaluation.
Histology in osteology cases is interpreted by NAAG forensic pathologists. Offices nationwide use this service on a flat-fee basis, with reports within 60 days of accession, guaranteed.
Forensic imaging
Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and radiologic correlation, integrated with the autopsy where appropriate, and ultra-high-resolution imaging of bone and specimens.
Imaging adds a permanent, re-examinable record to the examination and directs the dissection to where the evidence is.
Forensic odontology
Dental identification and odontologic analysis through NAAG’s consulting forensic dentist, coordinated with the pathology and anthropology examination.
Independent & second autopsies, and case review
AB 1108 independent examinations for in-custody, use-of-force and other conflict-of-interest deaths, for California sheriff-coroners.
Second autopsies when the first examination leaves questions about completeness, unexamined evidence or evolving science, including NAAG’s Autopsy Integrity Program, offered at no cost to prosecutorial agencies.
Case review of examinations performed elsewhere, for agencies, prosecutors, defense counsel and civil counsel, under NAAG’s consultation policies.
Testimony & case conferences
NAAG physicians testify on their own examinations and opinions in state, federal and military courts and abroad, and meet with investigators and counsel in case conferences.
NAAG keeps an open door to the justice system: with the coroner’s knowledge and permission, we meet with prosecutors, law enforcement and defense counsel about our findings. The answer is the same no matter who asks.
Moritz’s “classical mistakes” in forensic pathology (1956). We design our practice against every one.
- Not being aware of the medicolegal autopsy
- Performing an incomplete autopsy
- Permitting embalming before a medicolegal autopsy
- Regarding a mutilated or decomposed body as unsuitable for autopsy
- Nonrecognition or misinterpretation of postmortem changes
- Inadequate examination and description of external abnormalities
- Confusing objective and subjective sections of the protocol
- Not examining the body at the scene
- Substituting intuition for scientifically defensible interpretation
- Not making adequate photographs of evidence
- Allowing the protocol’s value to be jeopardized by minor errors
- Talking too soon, too much, and to the wrong people
Expert consultation
Five products. Three areas of practice. One standard.
Attorneys, agencies and familiesIIThe Deep Dive
Specialist re-examination of the evidence that was kept.
Prosecutors, defense and civil counselIIIThe private autopsy program
The same examination, whichever report you choose.
Families and next of kinIVMedicolegal autopsy for agencies
On demand, at our facilities or yours.
Sheriff-coroners and coroner agenciesVForensic neuropathology
Brain, dura and spinal cord, examined by a subspecialist.
Medical examiners, coroners and agencies nationwideVIForensic anthropology & osteology
Bone, read by the people who specialize in it.
Medical examiners, coroners and agencies nationwideVIIForensic odontology
Dental identification, under board certification.
Law enforcement and medicolegal agenciesVIIIMolecular autopsy & genetic testing
Answers that matter to the living.
Families, attorneys and agenciesIXReference histology laboratory
Every slide cut, stained and checked to a forensic standard.
Pathologists, agencies and counselStart 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.