The Fulton County Medical Examiner
Atlanta, Georgia
Resource Information for Families/Next-of-Kin
The document below contains information that may be helpful to family members (next-of-kin) who are dealing with issues related to the death of a family member, loved one, or friend. It describes some of our procedures and places where various types of information may be obtained. For additional information, also see the section of this web site listed on the Main Menu as "How you can help us (and information for you)" or "Coping with Homicide (Help for Family and Friends).
Resource Information
Fulton County Medical Examiner (404)730-4400
Concerning the death of:_______________________________________
The Fulton County Medical Examiner Investigator who is investigating the death is:
________________________________________
Please contact this Investigator directly for specific questions regarding the investigation. The Investigator will try to answer any questions you have, or make sure you are able to contact someone who can answer the question for you.
The deceased has been taken to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Center for examination. This examination is required by law in cases of sudden or unexplained death, accidental or traumatic death, death while on the job, deaths involving children, or in any case when the decedent was unattended by a physician.
Funeral Home: You and your family should choose a funeral home. Please note: it is illegal for any funeral home to solicit your business. Your choice should not be influenced in any way by any funeral home or official unless you contact them first.
Viewing: The Fulton County Medical Examiner sometimes needs to have family members or friends view the deceased at the Medical Examiner's office in order to make a positive identification. Otherwise, the deceased should be viewed at the funeral home. An Investigator will tell you if it is necessary to come to the Medical Examiner's Office.
Personal Effects: Personal property, such as jewelry and money, is often retrieved from the Medical Examiner's Office by the funeral home you select. The funeral home then turns the property over to you. If you would like to retrieve the item(s) yourself, please contact us at (404) 730-4400. Please be prepared to provide photographic proof of your identity and relationship to your loved one. Clothing and some other items may, in some cases, be retained as evidence and not returned to you. If you have questions about personal effects, please feel free to call us at (404) 730-4400. If a weapon such as a gun has been taken by our office, it is customary for us to keep it for 90 days before releasing it back to you, or, destroying it if you wish.
Death Certificate: The funeral home you choose will obtain the death certificate from the Fulton County Medical Examiner and must file it with the county Vital Records Office. You may obtain certified copies of the death certificate through your funeral home or from the County Vital Records Office. There will probably be fees for such copies.
Autopsy Report: You may obtain a copy of the autopsy report through the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office (404-730-4400) after completing a written request. There is a fee, which may be mailed or paid in person. The autopsy report will be available as soon as all laboratory testing is completed. Many reports are available within 7-10 days, but others may take several weeks in some cases. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory completes most laboratory testing, and usually takes at least 6 - 8 weeks for completion. You may obtain testing reports directly from the GBI Crime Lab; (404) 244-2500.
Police Report: If a police agency is investigating the death, you may obtain police reports directly from that agency. Several agencies are listed for your convenience.
Medical Records: Medical records must be requested directly from the hospital or healthcare center involved. Normally a written request is required from a family member.
Social Security Benefits: You may file for social security benefits, if appropriate, by contacting the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Have the correct social security number available.
Veterans Benefits: For veterans, you may contact the Veterans Administration Office at 1-800-827-1000 regarding benefits. Have the correct social security number available.
Insurance: Notify the appropriate insurance agent of the death.
Bank(s): Notify the appropriate bank(s) of the death.
Police Agencies Contact Telephone Numbers
Atlanta Police Central Records: (404) 853-7461 Fulton Co. Police Reports: (404) 730-5702
Atlanta Police Homicide Div.: (404) 853-4235 Fulton Co. Police Info.: (404) 730-5700
Atlanta Police Hit and Run Div.: (404) 765-2808 Alpharetta Police: (770) 475-5900
College Park Police: (404) 761-3131 East Point Police: (404) 761-2177
Fairburn Police: (770) 964-1441 Hapeville Police: (404) 669-2111
Palmetto Police: (770) 463-9068 Roswell Police: (770) 640-4100
Union City Police: (770) 964-1333
Other Telephone Numbers and Contact Information
TTY/Hearing Impaired: (404) 730-1608
Fulton County District Attorney: (404) 730-4983
Fulton County Victim/Witness Assistance: (404) 730-4986
Georgia Coalition on Donation (Eye, organs, tissues) Phone: 866-57-SHARE
Counseling and other services (Non-Profit)
Fulton County Emergency Mental Health Services: (404) 730-1600 (24 hours)
HUGGS (Healing and Understanding for Grieving Suicide Survivors) 404-616-2897
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia 1-800-CHILDREN email help.line@preventchildabusega.org
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance of Georgia 1-800-221-SIDS
FrontPorch of Atlanta, Inc (Non Profit)
(For Grieving Children and Their Families) Phone 770-730-5858
www.thefrontporch.org
The Link (Counseling) 404-256-9797
The Odyssey (Counseling) (Hapeville) 404-669-3462
The Odyssey (Counseling) (McDonough) 770-957-6256
Families First (Counseling) 404-853-2844
Village of St. Joseph (Counseling) 404-321-2900
Infant Death Counseling (Fulton County Child Health Services): (404)730-4029
Project SAVE (Sudden Cardiac Death Awareness, Vision for Prevention, Education) 404-785-7201
Death Scene Cleaning and Repair:*
The telephone directory may contain companies that offer death scene cleaning and repair services. Some companies listed are also listed with the District Attorney's Victim-Witness Assistance program:
A-1 Bio Cleaning Services 770-739-4816
Accident/Trauma Scene Cleaners 1-866-787-2862
Acclaimed Trauma Solutions, LLC 404-200-0552
Advanced Bio-Treatment 800-860-4268
Aftermath, Inc. 800-366-9923
Atlanta Bio-Chem Disposal 770-428-7327
Bio-Trauma 1-866-435-7704
Crime Site Cleaners 770-333-9934
Disaster Recovery, Inc. 770-916-1080
National Biorecovery 404-925-6816; 404-281-5514
Protech Biohazard Recovery 404-377-4344
SouthEast Bio-Recovery 678-721-4321
* These services are listed as information and listing here does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
If death resulted from violence, some police agencies have a victim support program or can refer you to an agency that can provide you and your family with counseling and other assistance.