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Who We Serve
Justice of the Peace
When a sudden death investigation falls under your jurisdiction, you may refer the deceased for autopsy. Our service model provides the most cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars. By switching to American Forensics, Texas County Justices of the Peace saved an average of $600 per case compared to large urban Medical Examiner offices.
American Forensics serves Justices of the Peace statewide, with over 30 Texas counties relying on our services, often through referrals from Judges, Attorneys, Funeral Directors, Hospitals, and Families seeking alternatives.
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National Accreditation
In 2013, we became the first company to pass NAME Accreditation standards with zero deficiencies. We maintain the highest national standards in histology and toxicology lab tests and collaborate with ANAB Crime Laboratories to protect evidence chain of custody. Law enforcement can use their preferred crime lab, even if the autopsy is not performed by
the County.
Our team of experienced American Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) and Forensic Pathologists—each with over 30 years of combined experience—support law enforcement investigations with timely reports and solid forensic science.
Fast
American Forensics delivers detailed preliminary and final reports faster, enabling judges, law enforcement, and prosecutors to make decisions sooner, benefiting all parties.
Efficient
Our system offers an economic advantage for your county. By using our forensic pathologists, your county gets an all-inclusive, quality forensic examination, including toxicology, histology, digital radiology, photos, fingerprinting, gunshot residue tests, and more. We provide forensic autopsy final reports within 45 days, significantly reducing wait times compared to competitors. The National Association of Medical Examiners' standard is 90% in 90 days. Our timely reports expedite death certificates, bring peace to families, and support justice. The U.S. Department of Justice and National Institute of Justice endorse "independent" forensic science as the preferred model for better outcomes in prosecution.
If a family requests an autopsy outside your jurisdiction, American Forensics is a trusted provider for prompt, confidential, and competent service. Our private autopsy includes toxicology and interpretation, with a 60-day report turnaround. Our accredited facility in Mesquite, Texas, is open 24/7, 365 days a year. American Forensics’ pathologists are also available for court testimony. As a courtesy to Texas Counties, no written contract is required to access our discounted rates
Families
When a loved one passes, families may not fully understand the circumstances of the death. A private autopsy can clarify the cause and manner of death and answer any remaining questions. At American Forensics, our compassionate physicians communicate clearly with surviving family members.
An autopsy can help identify acquired or inherited diseases, and assist families in understanding the death and managing their own healthcare. It can also address concerns about the care the deceased received, and is often the first step in potential medical-legal litigation. While any family member or close friend can request an autopsy, it must be authorized by the legal next of kin. The family receives a comprehensive report, including findings from external, internal, and microscopic examinations, along with any requested laboratory testing such as toxicology.
We also offer Molecular Autopsies, which involve genetic testing to identify genes for diseases that may be passed to the deceased’s children. Blood samples are routinely collected during the autopsy for this purpose, in line with National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) standards. If a gene is identified, family members can provide saliva samples for analysis.
An autopsy won’t alter the appearance of your loved one, allowing funeral arrangements, including open-casket viewing, to proceed as planned. We work with funeral directors to schedule autopsies with minimal disruption. Private autopsies are performed at our Mesquite, Texas facility. For families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we cover transportation costs. If outside our service area, we assist with transportation needs. The forensic pathologist is available to discuss findings throughout the process. A preliminary report is provided within 24-48 hours, and the full report is delivered within 60 days.
Our private autopsy pricing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area includes transportation. Contact us confidentially to discuss your family’s needs and pricing.
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Attorneys
Forensic pathologists are trained medical expert witnesses specializing in medico-legal cases, with experience in both civil and criminal proceedings. American Forensics bridges the gap between medicine and law, answering medical questions with legal implications.
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We offer qualified forensic experts to review clinical medical records and
autopsy findings, providing medical opinions on standard of care, diagnosis, adequacy of care, cause and manner of death, and injury analysis. Our physicians can help determine if a death suggests medical malpractice. Our pathologists are board certified in Anatomic, Clinical, Forensic Pathology, and Neuropathology, with extensive autopsy experience. They are also experts in deposition and trial testimony, serving plaintiff, prosecutor, and defense attorneys.
Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, American Forensics offers
consultations nationwide. Our physicians hold current licenses in Texas,
Oklahoma and Mississippi. Consultants are available to travel to all 50 states.
Hospitals
When a patient dies in the hospital, the family or treating physician may
request an autopsy. American Forensics understands that hospitals cannot
always provide this service. An autopsy not only aids in quality-of-care
documentation for hospital staff but also helps explain the cause of death to surviving family members.
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For a competitive fee, American Forensics offers autopsy examinations,
which provide information for completing death certificates and evaluating
care plans. Our independent service helps identify strengths and
weaknesses in your hospital’s care and supports Mortality and Morbidity
reviews. As the only National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME)-
accredited facility, we ensure unbiased results and transparency.
We prioritize the needs of our clients and offer flexible scheduling to
accommodate your hospital and the families we serve. We coordinate
transportation to and from our facility, and our rates are unmatched by local competitors. When a family or physician requests an autopsy, American Forensics is a trusted name for prompt, caring, confidential, and competent service.
Law Enforcement
At American Forensics, one of our top priorities is to expedite the
investigative process for law enforcement. We offer a range of services at little to no cost, including gunshot residue analysis, firearm examination, fingerprint analysis, DNA analysis, toxicology, sexual assault kit processing, forensic odontology, forensic reconstruction, and forensic entomology. We also assist with evaluating disaster planning related to death investigation procedures.
Our forensic investigators are trained to meet the specific needs of each case, using professional, accredited labs for evidence analysis. We prioritize the integrity of police evidence and understand the urgency of finalizing cases for the families in your jurisdiction.
Funeral Directors
When a family requests an autopsy, they often rely on funeral directors to refer them to a reputable provider. You can trust American Forensics to prioritize your client's needs. Our physicians are American Board Certified Forensic Pathologists and former Medical Examiners. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate both you and the families we serve. Our facility is open 24/7, 365 days a year, with controlled access for intake and release. We maintain refrigerated storage and all necessary equipment for high-quality examinations. Within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, we provide free transportation to and from our facility, and typically complete autopsies within 24 hours
As per the Texas Medical Board, autopsies must be performed in a
controlled environment. Our NAME-accredited, independent facility meets these standards. We are proud members of the Texas Funeral Directors Association.
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