§4045 Authority to conduct autopsies

Summary

The head of a federal prison or jail can order an autopsy and medical tests, under rules set by the Director, when an inmate dies by homicide, suicide, a fatal illness or accident, or for unexplained reasons, and when the tests are needed to find a crime, keep order, protect other inmates’ health or safety, correct official wrongdoing, or defend the United States or its workers from civil lawsuits about running the facility. State and local rules that protect religious beliefs must be followed as much as possible while still allowing needed testing. The official can also allow a post-mortem procedure, including removing tissue for transplant, if someone with legal authority under state law gives written consent.