National Association of Medical Examiners Position Paper: Medical Examiner Release of Organs and Tissues for Transplantation

Abstract

The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) endorsed a position paper on the medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) release of organs and tissues in cases falling under ME/C jurisdiction in 2007; this paper has now sunsetted. The goal of this paper is to provide an update on ME/C denials and to reaffirm NAME'S position on this topic. In summary, it is the position of NAME that ME/Cs should permit the procurement of organs and tissues in cases falling under their jurisdiction, providing that there are cooperative agreements in place to ensure that ME/Cs are able to fulfill their legal mandates regarding determination of cause and manner of death and of appropriate collection and preservation of evidence.