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California Law (Last Updated: March 4, 2014) |
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Government Code - GOV |
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Title 3. GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES |
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Division 2. OFFICERS |
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Part 3. OTHER OFFICERS |
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Chapter 10. Coroner |
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ARTICLE 2.5. Autopsy |
Section 27520.
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(a) The coroner shall perform or cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has not already been performed, if the surviving spouse requests him to do so in writing. If there is no surviving spouse, the coroner shall perform the autopsy if requested to do so in writing by a surviving child or parent, or if there is no surviving child or parent, by the next of kin of the deceased.
(b) The coroner may perform or cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has already been performed, if the surviving spouse requests him to do so in writing. If there is no surviving spouse, the coroner may perform the autopsy if requested to do so in writing by a surviving child or parent, or if there is no surviving child or parent, by the next of kin of the deceased.
(c) The cost of an autopsy requested pursuant to either subdivision (a) or (b) shall be borne by the person requesting that it be performed.