How does the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner help families?

A properly completed death certificate is usually necessary to claim insurance, receive government benefits, settle the estate, and pursue any civil or criminal legal action.

Medical benefits provided by a forensic autopsy include a medical determination of the cause of death, recognition of unsuspected illness, identification of public health hazards, and sometimes confirmation of the identity of the deceased.

Once the medical examiner determines the cause and manner of death, the State Registrar will finalize the death certificate and the funeral home can obtain the death certificate for you.

The forensic pathologist may be called upon to provide relevant testimony regarding the cause and manner of death, as well as interpretation of injuries, in a court of law.