Autopsy Question?

Question

My cousin was killed in a house fire back in april. They are doing an autopsy on the body and have opened a criminal investigation on the case. I was wondering how long it usually takes for the results to get back. We haven't heard much of anything, they did tell us they are leaning towards suscide. Do you think they could just be saying that because they might have a suspect in mind but they don't want them to get away? Please help the family is really getting upset about all of this. Thanks

Answer 1

Any unexplained death, which this is, will remain open until they can close it as Homicide, Suicide, Natural or Undetermined.

The autopsy is long done. What they are waiting on is toxicology tests on the body and lab results obtained from the scene.

Depending on the size of the agency, this can take several months to get all of these chemical tests back.

And until they close the case, they are going to reveal very little to you. Literally everyone is suspect until the case is closed.

Answer 2

The turn around on the results of the autopsy can vary depending on any type of tests they are doing, i.e. toxicology tests and the area that the testing and autopsy are being done.

I live in a very rural area and it can take awhile to get results on any type of tests because the state lab can get backed up.

They likely would not tell you they were leaning toward suicide if they didn't think that was the case. Really what would they gain from not telling you they have a suspect. They always want cooperation.

Hang in there. I am sorry for your loss.

If your family hasn't maybe they should call the investigating agency and see if there are any new developments in the case.

Answer 3

My sincere condolences on the death of your cousin. An autopsy usually involves testing for blood gases and other drugs or substances in the blood. These tests may take as long as 6 weeks to complete. If a person does not leave a note, or was not upset or depressed about some situation, then suicide is not very probable. It could be ruled an accident or undetermined. Unless something points to a homicide, most investigators will not go in this direction unless they aleady have a suspect, or someone who would have a reason to want the person dead.

Answer 4

a similar situation happened with my step grandson, we didnt get the autopsy report back for 2 months..mainly because they were testing him for any drug he might have overdosed on (if any) we got a priliminary back in 2 weeks, only to say inconclusive..they will be able to tell right away if foul play was involved, because they dropped the criminal investigation right away..inyour case there will be an investigation by the fire marshall to make sure it wasnt arsony, if they suspect that may be why they are doing a criminal investigation..thinking someone set the fire to cover up the homicide..this is a very long drawn out process, because any evidence of a suicide note has been destroyed, unless he talked to someone prior and told them he was going to do it. i am so sorry for your loss, this is so hard on the family not knowing, as well as trying to close on any insurance and funeral expenses..i pray for the closure to happen soon for your family and they will soon find out what really happened. God Bless

Answer 5

I have never had autopsy results take longer than a couple of days in a death investigation where suspicious activity was thought to be behind it. I am not sure why they would not have told you anything about the situation. I would presume they found something unusual, or the doctor's office is really backed up and getting the results out for a presumed suicide is not the top priority.

I am sorry to hear of your cousin's death. I hope your family finds peace and closure soon.

Answer 6

It is not clear on how long or how short the investigation would be. It is up to the arson investigation on what more evidence or physical proof they still need to close the case. And a fire scene is not the easiest case to solve since there are so many angle to look at, and so much evidence to gather to conclude that the case is close.

You could inquire in your police station/arson department of any development in the case. They would probably entertain any question your family have. If that is their conclusive that it might be suicide. Suicide? I donot know if your cousin is a male or female. My only question is that why would he/she bother to lit the place up and killed himself/herself inside the house without going out with lots of smoke and the heat. For me I wouldnot conclude it is a suicide. It could be homicide or murder, defending on the motive of the person who did it. But suicide, I personally donot think so.

So the best thing is wait for the official autopsy report and then have your own conclusion on the case, since you know the person involved personally since he/she is your own cousin.

Answer 7

Results can take months for results to come back from forensic tests, depending on the backlog at the lab.

If they told you they are leaning toward suicide, then it probably is suicide. Police will say nothing if they suspect murder, and will simply say that they don't know or it is under investigation. They will not give false information to family members to mislead a suspect.

Answer 8

Each case varies. Sometimes they can figure it out in 3 or 4 days, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 weeks. If they say that they are thinking that you cousin killed them self, they most likely are thinking such. Yet, they wish to cover the basics, and yes they might have someone in mind. I wouldn't worry about it however. If they didn't do it, there is nothing to fear.

Answer 9

It take time to get certain reports back from the medical examiner,do to the circumstances the they have to do a full report in order to prove if it was suicide,or foul play they don't want to rush things and let the right person go or arrest the wrong person...sorry to hear about your loss try and be patient and let the medical team do their work...it will hopefully fall into place..good luck

Answer 10

a week or 2.