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Medical Examiner

Odette Hall,

M.D.
Chief
Medical Examiner


Amy Rapkiewicz,

M.D.
Deputy Chief Medical Examiner
Deputy Medical Examiner

Marianne Chiarello

Assistant to the Chief
Medical Examiner

Raquel Manuel

PA-C
Supervisor Medical
Forensic Investigations
Address:

 Sidney B. Weinberg Forensic Sciences
Bldg. #487
725 Veteran's Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York 11787-4311

Mailing Address:

P.O. BOX 6100
Hauppauge, New York 11788-0099


 (631) 853-5555
FAX: (631) 853-5812



Deputy Medical Examiners:

Mary Grace Centeno, M.D.
Aaron J. Rosen, M.D.
Daniel Shapiro, M.D.


Laboratory Directors:

Michael Lehrer, PhD - Toxicology
Constance Dinkel - Crime Laboratory

Our Mission

The Suffolk County Office of the Medical Examiner is a multi-agency accredited forensic science resource. Using both national and internationally approved standards of science, we strive to improve the public health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents.

About

Medical Examiner's Office

The Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner Department is an 85,000 square foot facility physically located in Hauppauge in the North County Complex off of Veterans Memorial Highway. The Division is comprised of the Medical Forensic, Toxicology, and Crime Laboratory Sections. The Public and Environmental Health Laboratory is housed in the same facility, but under the administration of the Division of Environmental Quality.

The Medical Forensic Section investigates about 6200 deaths per year and performs about 1300 autopsy examinations per year. The Forensic Medical Investigators are all Registered Physician Assistants, and the Pathologists are fulltime Medical Examiners.

Michael Lehrer, Ph.D, directs the Toxicology Section. This state-of-the-art laboratory performs analysis in all three areas of forensic toxicology: post-mortem, human performance, and forensic drug testing. Specimens are analyzed for law enforcement agencies, Drug Court, DWI Program, drug facilitated sexual assault, the Probation department, and the Methadone Maintenance Program.

The Crime Laboratory is under the direction of Constance Dinkel. The laboratory has Biological Sciences, Firearms, Trace Evidence, and Drug Chemistry sections to analyze evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies.

SECTION I. Legal Authority and Program Description

The Department of the Office of the Medical Examiner is comprised of three sections: Medical Forensics, Crime Laboratory and Toxicology Laboratory. The Department is created and regulated primarily by Suffolk County Charter Chapter C. Article XXXII, Section C32-1, and Chapter A. Administrative Code Section C32-1.

Services

For Families

Obtain and Print Autopsy Report Request

Medical Examiner FOIL Requests

Freedom of Information Law Requests

Report of Death Procedure

Procedure Information Provided

Internship Information

SCOME Intern Opportunities Information

Monthly Accidental Intoxication Report

FAQs

 How long does it take for an autopsy report to be completed?

It typically takes 3 to 4 months for an autopsy report to be completed; however, each case varies. Official autopsy reports are not available until all of the toxicological, histological and other testing has been concluded.


 How do I obtain an autopsy report?

A written request must be sent to our office by the next of kin, including your name, address, phone number, the name of the deceased and their date of death. The request can be mailed to Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office, PO Box 6100 Hauppauge NY 11788, or faxed to Medical Records at 631-853-5812.


 Is there a fee for an autopsy report?

There is no fee for the next of kin to receive the report. If you are not the next of kin, please contact our office at 631-853-5555.


 The insurance company will not release funds, the death certificate says “pending further study” and the autopsy report is not yet completed. How can I get these funds released?

The insurance company can call our office and request a no foul play letter. This request must come from the insurance company.


 How do I obtain an amended death certificate once a cause of death has been determined?

You may obtain a copy of the amended death certificate from the Registrar’s Office in the town or village where the death occurred.

Suffolk County Government

H. Lee Dennison Bldg

100 Veterans Memorial Hwy
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Riverhead County Center

County Road 51
Riverhead, NY 11901