The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Position Paper

Individuals who die suddenly and unexpectedly will often fall under the jurisdiction of a Medical Examiner or Coroner (MEC). Forensic pathologists may therefore be the first physicians to diagnose a genetic disease. Identifying these conditions at autopsy improves the accuracy of death certification and provides biological relatives the opportunity to seek diagnosis and intervention. Accessibility and diagnostic capabilities of postmortem genetic testing (PMGT) have rapidly expanded over the last decade since the previous National Association of Medical Examiners position paper on this topic. In this updated position paper, we review the different types of PMGT and the genetic conditions most likely to be encountered at forensic autopsy. Guidelines are also provided for the implementation of PMGT in an MEC office and for the reporting of results.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology
Published
2026-02-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/paf.0000000000001117
Primary Topic
Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Position Paper

Heather MacLeod, Lisa Marie Castillo, Ellen M. Hostetler, Joyce L. deJong et al.
American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology
Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
article

The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Position Paper

Heather MacLeod, Lisa Marie Castillo, Ellen M. Hostetler, Joyce L. deJong, Kathy Pinneri, Laura Knight, Kara L. Gawelek, Alison Krywanczyk, Basma M. Klump, Yingying Tang, Elizabeth M. McNally, Lisa Ann Gavin, R. Gregory Webster
article en

Abstract

Individuals who die suddenly and unexpectedly will often fall under the jurisdiction of a Medical Examiner or Coroner (MEC). Forensic pathologists may therefore be the first physicians to diagnose a genetic disease. Identifying these conditions at autopsy improves the accuracy of death certification and provides biological relatives the opportunity to seek diagnosis and intervention. Accessibility and diagnostic capabilities of postmortem genetic testing (PMGT) have rapidly expanded over the last decade since the previous National Association of Medical Examiners position paper on this topic. In this updated position paper, we review the different types of PMGT and the genetic conditions most likely to be encountered at forensic autopsy. Guidelines are also provided for the implementation of PMGT in an MEC office and for the reporting of results.

American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology
Twitter (United States) (US), University of Nevada, Reno (US), Office of Chief Medical Examiner (US), Northwestern University (PH), Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CA), Renown Regional Medical Center (US), King County Medical Examiner's Office (US), Clark County Public Health (US), Clark County School District (US), Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court (US), Elmhurst University (US), Michigan State University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 64%
Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
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