Medicolegal autopsies
Complete forensic autopsies and external examinations under Government Code § 27491, for adults, children and infants.
NAAG Forensic / Sheriff-Coroner Autopsy Service / Contract forensic pathology
General forensic pathology
The sheriff-coroner system deserves forensic medicine of the highest order.
NAAG Forensic exists to give California’s sheriff-coroners the medical foundation their duty demands: death investigation so complete, so carefully reasoned and so well documented that families, courts and communities can rely on it without reservation.
Medically reviewed by Evan W. Matshes, MD, FRCPC, D-ABP, Medical Director and Chief Forensic Pathologist · Updated
Quality
Ultra-high-quality, reliable death investigation.
Forensic pathology is medicine practiced for the public good, and its product is truth. A death investigation is only as reliable as the medicine beneath it, so we reject production-driven models that trade completeness for speed or volume. 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.
- Board-certified forensic pathologists perform every examination, held to national and international standards.
- Scene-informed, case-integrated medicine. We read the investigation, the medical records and the history before we pick up a scalpel, and we integrate all of it into a single coherent opinion.
- Complete documentation. Photographs, imaging and records thorough enough that another qualified pathologist can test every conclusion.
- Appropriate ancillary testing, not reflexive testing. Toxicology, histology, special stains, imaging, neuropathology and anthropology are used whenever the case demands them, and the reason for each is documented.
- Transparent reasoning. Our cause and manner opinions explain how we got there, what the evidence shows, what it does not, and how certain we are.
- Formal peer review is part of our death investigation service.
- Evidence preserved for the long run. Slides and blocks are kept indefinitely; wet tissue for five years, and indefinitely in criminal cases.
Services
Full-scope forensic pathology services.
§ 27491
Pediatrics
Pediatric and infant deaths
Rigorous, protocol-driven examination of sudden unexpected infant and child deaths, and suspected abuse.
Deep Dive
The Deep Dive
When a child’s death raises questions of abuse, a full secondary laboratory investigation of the retained biological evidence.
Imaging
Postmortem CT and forensic radiology
PMCT and radiologic correlation, integrated with the autopsy where appropriate.
Neuropathology
Forensic neuropathology
Brain, dura and spinal cord examinations directed by a board-certified neuropathologist.
Anthropology
Forensic anthropology and osteology
Skeletal, mummified and fixed-bone specimens examined by NAAG’s forensic anthropologists, with pathologist interpretation of histology.
Review
Independent second opinions
Rigorous case reviews for agencies that want a fresh, independent set of eyes.
AB 1108
AB 1108 independent examinations
Independent autopsies for in-custody and other conflict-of-interest deaths. Learn about the program.
Testimony
Court testimony and case conferences
Clear, honest expert testimony and case conferences with your investigators and prosecutors.
Open door
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.
How we work
Two laboratories
Seven days a week
Examinations at our Fresno and San Diego facilities seven days a week, or scheduled service at your facility.
Scrutiny
Built for scrutiny
Every report is written to withstand cross-examination, appellate review and public scrutiny.
Reporting
Secure reporting
Reports are prepared and delivered through NAAG’s own secure online reporting system, built and maintained in-house.
Budgets
Predictable budgets
Contract counties pay a flat monthly rate rather than per-case fees, and receive monthly service statistics for their caseload.
Examination menu
The examination menu.
Postmortem examination services for California sheriff-coroner and coroner agencies, at our San Diego or Fresno facility or by our physicians on site in your county. Every service includes review of the investigative and medical records, the examination, an opinion on cause and manner of death, and the written report.
- 01
Records review
Review of the investigative and medical records, with an opinion on cause and manner of death. No examination of the decedent.
- 02
External examination
Examination of the external aspects of the decedent, with or without specimen collection.
- 03
Standard autopsy
External and internal examination with specimen collection, for deaths that need no additional pathology studies: sudden cardiac death, suicide, drug overdose.
- 04
Complex autopsy
Full examination with every pathology laboratory test the case pathologist considers necessary: delayed blunt head trauma, post-operative cardiac death.
- 05
Criminally suspicious death / homicide
Full examination with all indicated laboratory testing and formal peer review by a second board-certified forensic pathologist.
- 06
Pediatric autopsy
Full examination of an infant or child with all indicated laboratory testing and formal peer review.
- 07
Criminally suspicious pediatric death
The full pediatric forensic examination for suspected homicide of a child, with all indicated laboratory testing and formal peer review.
- 08
Brain-only autopsy
External examination with specimen collection and formal neuropathology consultation, in the very few circumstances where a partial autopsy is appropriate.
Programs
Programs and testimony.
- 09
AB 1108 Independent Autopsy Program
Independent examination of in-custody deaths in counties with a combined sheriff-coroner, as Government Code § 27491.56 requires from January 1, 2027. Toxicology included; report within 60 days, never more.
- 10
Autopsy Integrity Program
Independent second examination at the request of a prosecutorial agency, offered at no cost to prosecutors.
- 11
Testimony
Testimony on NAAG cases is quoted in writing before any date is confirmed. No cancellation, rescheduling, late-release or standby fee at any point.
Rates are guaranteed for the full term of an agreement. Toxicology on the on-demand schedule is arranged by NAAG and billed at cost; on the AB 1108 schedule it is included.
Fees
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.
Agency Services: the 2026–2027 guide
For sheriff-coroners, medical examiners and law enforcement. A complete printable guide to these services.
Contact
Talk to us about your county.
Call or email to discuss contract services, AB 1108 readiness, specimen consultations or a second autopsy review.
Phone1-800-985-5346
Agenciescoroner@naagforensic.com
Specimensadmin@naagforensic.com
OfficeNAAG Forensic PC
6335 Ferris Square, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92121
6335 Ferris Square, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92121