Requirements for Access to Autopsy Records by Surviving Family, Government Entities and Other Providers – Ind. Code Ann.§ 16-39-7.1-3

A surviving spouse may view and copy photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings of the deceased spouse’s autopsy.  If there is no surviving spouse, the surviving parents shall have access to the records.  If no parents are available, a surviving child may have access.  Additionally, the state or federal government, while in performance of an official duty, may view the autopsy materials upon making a written request.  Unless otherwise required in the performance of their duties, the identity of the deceased must remain confidential.

The physician with custody of autopsy materials may use, or allow the use of, the materials for case consultation with a pathologist or forensic scientist, or for educational purposes if all information that identifies the individual is masked or removed from the materials, including:

• Name
• Address
• Social Security Number
• Full view of the face
• Identifying marks on the body that are unrelated to the educational purpose or medical condition

The physician who allows the use of autopsy information has a duty to disclose to each person to whom the physician releases it that the information is confidential and may not be used for a purpose other than for what it was originally released.