The medicine behind your death investigation.
California sheriff-coroners contract with NAAG to perform medicolegal examinations under Government Code § 27491. Medical examiner and coroner offices across the country send NAAG their most demanding specimens.
Medically reviewed by Evan W. Matshes, MD, FRCPC, D-ABP, Medical Director and Chief Forensic Pathologist · Updated
Sheriff-coroners · medical examiners · coroner investigators · police and sheriff’s detectives
NAAG Sheriff-Coroner Autopsy Service
Our service for California sheriff-coroners: contract forensic pathology, the AB 1108 program, specimen services for medical examiner offices, and the Autopsy Integrity Program.
Built for the sheriff-coroner system.
Contract forensic pathology
Sheriff-coroners · § 27491Complete autopsies and external examinations for adults, children and infants, at NAAG’s San Diego and Fresno facilities seven days a week, or at your facility. Flat monthly rates and monthly service statistics.
AB 1108 independent examinations
In-custody · conflict-of-interest deathsIndependent autopsies for deaths in custody and other cases in which the office must be seen to be independent.
Neuropathology & anthropology for ME offices
Nationwide · flat feesBrain, spinal cord, eye, bone and throat specimens examined by board-certified subspecialists. Flat fees, every stain included, reports within 60 days of accession, guaranteed.
Independent second opinions
Case reviewA fresh, rigorous set of eyes on a completed case, when your office wants one.
Detectives & investigators
Open doorWith the coroner’s knowledge and permission, our physicians meet with investigators about our findings, and teach homicide investigation courses.
Court testimony & case conferences
Your cases, our physiciansClear, honest testimony and case conferences with your investigators and prosecutors.
How to engage NAAG.
Call or email
Reach us at 1-800-985-5346 or coroner@naagforensic.com to discuss your county’s needs.
Scope the service
We agree the services, facilities and reporting your office needs.
Contract
Your county contracts with NAAG Forensic PC, typically at a flat monthly rate.
Begin
Cases are examined, documented and reported through NAAG’s secure reporting system.
Plain answers.
Does NAAG replace the coroner?
No. The coroner directs the death investigation and determines cause and manner of death. NAAG brings the medicine: our forensic pathologists perform the examinations and provide the findings and opinions on which the coroner’s determinations rest.
Where are examinations performed?
At NAAG’s facilities in San Diego and Fresno, seven days a week, or at your county’s facility by arrangement.
Can detectives speak with the pathologist?
Yes. NAAG keeps an open door to the justice system. With the coroner’s knowledge and permission, our physicians meet with law enforcement, prosecutors and defense counsel about our findings, and the answer is the same no matter who asks.
Do you serve offices outside California?
Yes. Medical examiner and coroner offices nationwide use NAAG’s forensic neuropathology and forensic anthropology and osteology services on a flat-fee basis.
Medicolegal 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 agenciesIXReference histology laboratory
Every slide cut, stained and checked to a forensic standard.
Pathologists, agencies and counselVIIIMolecular autopsy & genetic testing
Answers that matter to the living.
Families, attorneys and agenciesStart 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.