|
#17
●
02-04-2013, 10:06 AM
|
|
Re: Suicide - Hanging Dead Over Hefty Pool of Blood
Actually, in most states in America, it is entirely up to the discretion of the Medical Examiner what they release and to whom. Most have official policies that prohibit releasing photographs in order to avoid trouble with the victims' families and lawsuits and such, but it is in no way 'illegal' for them to release the pictures. In fact, up until just about ten years ago or so several states were legally REQUIRED to release autopsy photos as a matter of public record. The stink that Dale Earnhardt's widow made when the press got copies of his autopsy photos put an end to that, but technically speaking most MEs still have the leeway to release the photos if they wish. They just don't typically do it. As a side note, almost half the States in the US still consider autopsy reports (the full medical record, but not photos) to be a matter of public record. You can get almost any dead person's autopsy report in this country by filling out a form at the coroner's office and (in some cases) paying a small fee. |