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Overview
The OCME issues specific documents related to a death investigation.
The OCME can't issue death certificates.
To get a death certificate, you must order it through a registry agent.
Types of documents issued
Depending on the type of post-mortem examination or paper-based file review that the OCME medical examiner does, a number of different documents may be issued:
- Certificate of Medical Examiner
- External Examination Report
- Summary Autopsy Report
- Detailed Scientific Autopsy Report
- Toxicology Report
Note: All these documents may not be available for your specific case file.
Certificate of Medical Examiner
This document is often required by institutions such as banks, insurance companies and legal firms to settle deceased’s claims and other dispositions.
This gives the deceased’s name, sex and age, plus these details about their death:
- date of death
- place of death
- cause of death
- manner of death
- brief description of circumstances
The Certificate of Medical Examiner is similar but different than these documents:
- Death Certificate
- Attending Physician Statement (not filled out by the OCME)
External Examination Report
When a medical examiner does an external examination of the deceased, a written record is made of the findings.
Autopsy examination documents
When a medical examiner performs an autopsy on the deceased, 2 documents are always produced:
- Summary Autopsy Report
- describes the autopsy’s findings and conclusions in plain language
- Detailed Scientific Autopsy Report
- describes the autopsy’s findings and diagnostic conclusions with medical terminology
Toxicology Report
When toxicology tests are done on the deceased, a written record is made of the findings.
The deceased’s next of kin or an authorized third party can request documents relevant to the deceased’s OCME case file. If you’re unsure which documents are available for your case file, contact the medical investigator or the records unit at the OCME office where the investigation was done.
Cost
Document requested | Availability | Cost |
---|---|---|
Certificate of Medical Examiner | All cases | $15 per copy |
Detailed Autopsy Report* | Autopsy only | $40 per copy |
Summary Autopsy Report | Autopsy only | $15 per copy |
External Examination Report | External only | $15 per copy |
Toxicology Report | If performed | $20 per copy |
*Includes the Summary Autopsy Report and Toxicology Report if toxicology testing was performed.
Eligibility
You can order a death-related document from the OCME if you're:
- next-of-kin
- an authorized third party (for example, insurance company)
- next-of-kin or a personal representative of the estate must give permission for a third party to order death-related documents
How to order a document
Step 1. Fill out the form
If you're ordering a document as next of kin
Fill out the Request to Access Information form (PDF, 28 KB)
If you're ordering a document as an authorized third party
Fill out one of these forms:
- Request to Access Information (PDF, 28 KB), or
- Consent to Disclose Information (PDF, 40 KB)
Or
Get a written consent letter from the deceased's:
- next of kin, or
- personal representative
Step 2. Send the form and payment
If you're next of kin
Send the form with a cheque or money order payable to the Government of Alberta to:
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
7007 – 116 Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 5R8
If you're an authorized third party
Send these documents to an OCME office:
- form or consent letter
- cheque or money order payable to the Government of Alberta
Edmonton location:
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
7007 – 116 Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 5R8
780-427-4987
780-422-1265 (Fax)
Calgary location:
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
4070 Bowness Road NW
Calgary, AB T3B 3R7
403-297-8123
403-297-3429 (Fax)
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