Medical Examiner

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates certain sudden, violent, unexpected, unexplained, and other reportable deaths occurring in Bexar County. For families, funeral homes, researchers, and members of the public, the office also provides recent case information, autopsy and examination records, cremation permits, public-information procedures, and information about unidentified decedents. This article explains which deaths may come under Medical Examiner jurisdiction, how to locate a recent case, what families should expect after a death is accepted, how records requests work, and which common mistakes can delay or complicate a request.

Bexar County Medical Examiner Services

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, commonly referred to as BCMEO, is responsible for making independent medical and scientific determinations of cause and manner of death in cases that fall within its jurisdiction. Its primary work concerns individuals who die suddenly, violently, unexpectedly, or under circumstances requiring investigation.

A Medical Examiner investigation may involve a scene investigation, interviews with witnesses, physicians, relatives, or law-enforcement personnel, review of medical information, examination of the decedent, and laboratory testing. Depending on the facts of the case, the office may analyze body fluids or tissue through its Toxicology Section to determine whether drugs, poisons, or other chemicals are present.

Reporting a death to the Medical Examiner does not automatically mean the office will assume jurisdiction. After a death is reported, BCMEO reviews the circumstances and determines whether the case falls within its authority. Similarly, accepting jurisdiction does not automatically mean an autopsy will be performed. The Medical Examiner determines what examination is necessary based on the circumstances of the individual case.

Deaths That Must Be Reported

Bexar County identifies several types of deaths that must be reported to the Medical Examiner under Texas law. The county’s official death-reporting guidance states that deaths may be reported to BCMEO 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Examples of deaths requiring a report include:

A person who dies within 24 hours after admission to a hospital or institution.
A person who is killed or dies from an unnatural cause.
A case in which a body or body part is found and the cause or circumstances of death are unknown.
A death involving circumstances that create suspicion that the person died by unlawful means.
A suicide or a death in which the circumstances create suspicion of suicide.
A death involving a person who was not under the care of a licensed and practicing physician.
The death of a child younger than six years of age under the circumstances identified by the county.
A death in which the attending physician is not certain of the cause of death.

These reporting rules should not be confused with Medical Examiner jurisdiction. A death may need to be reported even when BCMEO ultimately determines that it will not take possession of the body or conduct the death investigation. The county notes that natural deaths are often returned to an attending physician, primary physician, associate physician, or another applicable medical officer for certification when Medical Examiner jurisdiction is not required.

Reporting Versus Jurisdiction

This distinction matters because families may hear that a death was “reported to the Medical Examiner” and assume an autopsy or lengthy investigation will follow. Reporting is the initial notification. Jurisdiction is a later decision made by BCMEO after reviewing the circumstances.

If BCMEO does take jurisdiction, it determines the appropriate examination and investigative work. The office may be able to establish cause and manner of death without performing a full autopsy. Autopsies are therefore not automatic in every Medical Examiner case.

How Recent Case Search Works

Bexar County operates an official Medical Examiner death records search for recent cases. The database covers death cases reported to, examined by, or certified by BCMEO during the selected period within the previous 30 days.

The search should not be treated as a complete list of all deaths occurring in Bexar County. Many deaths never fall under Medical Examiner jurisdiction, and the online system is specifically limited to the office’s recent cases. Someone researching general county mortality data should therefore not assume that an absent name means the person did not die in Bexar County.

The online table may include information such as the pronounced or found date and time, the decedent’s name, and the Medical Examiner case number. The case number is especially useful when communicating with BCMEO because the office currently limits case searches to specific identifiers.

Current Search Identifiers

The Medical Examiner’s Office has changed its release-of-information procedures in response to House Bill 4490. Under the current procedure described by the county, staff can search for a case only by the decedent’s name, date of birth, or Medical Examiner case number.

This limitation makes it useful to gather accurate identifying information before contacting the office. A general description of the circumstances, hospital, neighborhood, or date alone should not be assumed to be sufficient for staff to locate a case. If the Medical Examiner case number is available from the online database or another official communication, keep it with your records.

Why A Name May Be Missing

A person whose case is being handled by BCMEO may not always appear publicly. According to the county, information may be withheld when the decedent has not been identified or when next of kin has not yet been informed. The online search is also restricted to the recent time period covered by the system.

For older cases or records beyond the information displayed in the recent-death database, the records-request process is generally the more appropriate route.

What Families Should Expect

When a loved one is taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office, the county advises the family to contact a funeral home and tell the funeral home that BCMEO is handling the case. The funeral home generally handles the paperwork connected with receiving the remains after the Medical Examiner releases them.

According to the county’s Medical Examiner information, in most cases the decedent is examined and released within 24 hours. Individual circumstances can vary, particularly when additional examination, testing, identification work, or investigation is required.

The county also states that the person responsible for funeral arrangements must make those arrangements within six days after being notified of the death.

Viewing A Decedent

Direct viewing of a decedent is not allowed at the Medical Examiner’s Office. Families should arrange viewing through the funeral home, mortuary, or crematory after the remains have been released.

This is a frequent source of confusion for relatives who may want to visit the Medical Examiner facility to identify or view a loved one. BCMEO does not provide that type of viewing service at its facility.

Personal Belongings

The county states that personal belongings are generally released with the body to the funeral home for the convenience of the family. In selected cases, however, belongings may instead be released to law-enforcement or investigating agencies. Families should therefore avoid assuming that every item in the decedent’s possession will be available through the funeral home immediately.

Autopsy Decisions

An autopsy is not performed in every case. The Medical Examiner on duty reviews the circumstances and determines whether an autopsy is needed to establish the cause and manner of death.

Legal next of kin may contact the office as soon as possible if they want to request that an autopsy not be performed. BCMEO states that it tries to accommodate family wishes when possible, but some circumstances require an autopsy. A family request therefore does not guarantee that an autopsy will be omitted.

The county also states that an autopsy ordinarily does not prevent an open-casket viewing. If no injuries existed before the autopsy, the incisions are generally covered by clothing.

Cause And Manner Of Death

The Medical Examiner determines cause of death by reviewing and integrating information relevant to the specific case. Depending on the circumstances, that information may include investigative findings, medical records, physical examination of the decedent, an autopsy when necessary, and laboratory testing.

The underlying cause of death is the disease, injury, or poisoning that begins the chain of events leading to death. A contributing cause is a significant condition that contributes to the death but does not directly initiate the fatal sequence.

Families should also recognize the difference between an initial investigation and a completed examination report. Some findings cannot be finalized until laboratory work, toxicology testing, additional records, or other investigative steps are complete.

Autopsy And Examination Records

An autopsy report is a public record, but completed reports are not necessarily available immediately after death. The county’s Medical Examiner records request instructions state that an autopsy report usually takes a minimum of 12 weeks to complete. Some cases take longer when additional testing or investigation is required.

The county instructs requesters not to submit requests before 12 weeks because BCMEO cannot accept public-information requests for open cases. Waiting until the case is eligible for release avoids submitting a request the office cannot yet process.

Information Required For Requests

A records request should contain enough information to identify the requested case and return the records to the requester. BCMEO directs requesters to include:

The deceased person’s name.
The date of death.
A return mailing address, or an email address if electronic delivery is preferred.
The required Request for Public Information form.

The request form may be submitted by email to MERecords@Bexar.org, by mail, or in person during office business hours. The county’s Medical Examiner forms page provides the public-information form along with other BCMEO forms.

If submitting a paper request for a copy of records, the county’s records page directs requesters to mail the request with a check or money order. Before sending payment, review the applicable fee information so the amount corresponds to the type of record requested.

Cases With Law-Enforcement Interest

Some records cannot be released immediately even after an examination is otherwise complete. BCMEO states that cases involving law-enforcement interest are sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review under Section 552.108(a)(1) before records can be released.

Requesters should therefore distinguish between the time needed to medically complete a report and any additional review affecting whether the record can be released.

Medical Examiner Record Fees

The official Medical Examiner fee schedule is set by the Bexar County Commissioners Court, and revisions must be approved before implementation. For commonly requested records, the listed administrative charges include $25 for autopsy and toxicology reports, $35 for certified reports, $10 for certification of documents, $10 for notarization, and $0.10 per page for copies.

The schedule also lists a $15-per-hour records research labor fee and a $45 fee for an insurance or physician statement that includes an autopsy report. Fees apply according to the service requested, so a requester should not assume that every records request costs the same amount.

The fee page states that public-information requests will be processed within ten business days. That processing statement should not be confused with the time required to complete an autopsy report. BCMEO separately states that autopsy reports usually require at least 12 weeks to complete and may take longer in cases requiring additional testing or investigation.

Death Certificates Are Separate

A Medical Examiner autopsy report and a certified death certificate are different records obtained through different processes. BCMEO does not provide copies of death certificates.

The Medical Examiner works with the designated funeral home or death registrar to complete the certificate when BCMEO is responsible for the medical certification. The death certificate contains both medical and demographic information. BCMEO completes the medical portion, while the funeral home completes the demographic portion.

After completion and signature, the funeral home is responsible for filing the death certificate with the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the county where the death occurred. Someone seeking a copy of a death certificate should therefore not send an autopsy-record request to BCMEO expecting the office to provide the certified death certificate.

Cremation Permit Requirements

The Medical Examiner’s Office may issue cremation permits only when the death occurred in Bexar County. The county states that the permit is required by law for all cremations.

Funeral homes have specific submission requirements under the county’s cremation permit procedures. Each request must be submitted in a separate email. A single email may contain only one cremation permit request.

Each submission must include:

A completed Medical Examiner request form with all requested information.
A PDF of the death certificate worksheet obtained from TxEver showing physician certification.
A PDF of the Report of Death obtained from TxEver.

The county warns that failure to follow these submission rules may prevent the request from being processed. A funeral home should also verify that the death occurred in Bexar County before submitting a request. For an out-of-county death, BCMEO states that the cremation certificate must be obtained from the Justice of the Peace in the county where the death occurred.

The listed fee for a cremation permit is $25. Funeral homes with billing privileges are billed monthly. Funeral homes without billing privileges must use one of the payment methods specified by the county when picking up the permit. BCMEO also states that it does not accept prepayment for cremation permits.

Unidentified Medical Examiner Cases

BCMEO maintains an official unidentified persons page for cases in which the office has not been able to establish the identity of a decedent. When available, the county may publish descriptive information and postmortem renderings associated with a case.

The Medical Examiner’s Office states that it uses available scientific methods to establish identity, including fingerprints, DNA, dental or medical records, and visual identification. Some cases remain unidentified even after those resources have been exhausted.

People who recognize information associated with an unidentified decedent can contact the BCMEO Investigations Office. Investigators are available by telephone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A missing-person report, however, should be made through the appropriate local law-enforcement agency rather than through the Medical Examiner’s unidentified-persons page.

Common Medical Examiner Mistakes

Confusing Recent Cases With All Deaths

The online Medical Examiner search covers recent cases reported to, examined by, or certified by BCMEO within the available 30-day period. It is not a countywide death registry. A person may have died in Bexar County without ever becoming a Medical Examiner case.

Requesting An Open Case

Autopsy and examination reports generally require at least 12 weeks to complete. BCMEO instructs the public not to submit information requests before 12 weeks because requests for open cases cannot be accepted. Additional investigation or testing may extend the completion period.

Searching With Unsupported Details

Under the office’s current release-of-information procedure, staff can search by name, date of birth, or Medical Examiner case number. Providing unrelated descriptive details without one of those identifiers may not allow staff to locate the requested case.

Going To The Office For Viewing

BCMEO does not permit direct viewing of decedents at its facility. Viewing should be arranged through the funeral home, mortuary, or crematory after release of the remains.

Requesting A Death Certificate

The Medical Examiner’s Office does not issue copies of death certificates. Its role may include completing the medical portion when BCMEO certifies the death, but a death certificate is different from an autopsy report or Medical Examiner examination record.

Assuming Every Case Gets An Autopsy

Medical Examiner jurisdiction and autopsy performance are separate decisions. BCMEO may investigate and certify a death without conducting a full autopsy when the cause and manner of death can be determined through other appropriate investigative and medical information.

Using The Wrong Cremation Process

BCMEO may issue a cremation permit only for a death that occurred in Bexar County. Funeral homes must also submit one request per email and include the specified Medical Examiner form and TxEver documents. Combining multiple requests in one email or omitting required documents can interfere with processing.

Medical Examiner Office Location

The Medical Examiner’s Office is located within the University of Texas Health Science Center campus in the Bexar County Forensic Science Center. The county describes the facility as a three-floor building closest to the Merton Minter campus entrance.

The office lobby is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed on county holidays. During normal access, visitors approaching from Loop 410 may exit at Babcock, travel west on Babcock, turn right on Merton Minter, and notify the security guard at the first security gate that they are going to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

For parking, the county directs visitors to drive to the front of the building and park along the yellow curb rather than the red curb. During non-business hours, the county states that the campus entrance on Floyd Curl Drive is the only gate open, and the security officer can direct visitors to the building.

Medical Examiner Department

Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office
7337 Louis Pasteur Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
210-335-4000

Medical Examiner FAQs

Who is considered next of kin after a death?

For Medical Examiner matters, next of kin generally means the closest living relative or another person legally authorized to control the final disposition of the remains. Under Texas law, priority can include a person designated in a written instrument by the deceased, followed by a surviving spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings, estate representatives, and other relatives in the legally established order. This status can affect who is authorized to make decisions involving funeral arrangements and disposition of remains. Bexar County provides additional guidance on its Medical Examiner frequently asked questions.

What if a family cannot afford burial or cremation?

Bexar County advises families without sufficient financial means for funeral service, burial, or cremation that county assistance programs may be available. Eligibility and the type of assistance depend on the circumstances, so families should review county requirements before making commitments they cannot afford. The Medical Examiner does not replace the agencies responsible for determining eligibility for financial assistance.

Can organs, tissue, or a body be donated?

Donation may still be possible in some Medical Examiner cases, but timing and investigative requirements matter. Tissue and cornea recovery generally must occur promptly and remains subject to medical, legal, and investigative considerations. When a case is under Medical Examiner jurisdiction, any recovery must be coordinated so it does not interfere with required examination or evidence preservation. Body donation programs also have their own acceptance standards and are not controlled by the Medical Examiner.

Where can researchers find Medical Examiner death data?

Bexar County prepares annual reports containing information about deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner. These reports reflect cases within the office's jurisdiction rather than every death occurring in the county. Researchers seeking information outside the Medical Examiner database, including broader county mortality information or contributing factors not searchable in that database, may need data maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The county's Medical Examiner services page provides access to its available service and records information.

Does the Medical Examiner offer internships or public tours?

Internships may be available in Investigations, Anthropology, and Toxicology for students enrolled in qualifying undergraduate or graduate programs that require an internship for graduation. Participation is coordinated through the student's college or university. The office does not offer school field trips, group tours, or general educational visits because of the sensitive work performed at the facility and the need to maintain a secure environment.