Requesting Reports from the Office of the Medical Investigator

Reports & Forms - Policies and Procedures
The OMI maintains records documenting the investigation of deaths reported to the OMI. The central office is the record repository for all reports, investigative findings, slides and photography, and any other material gathered during a death investigation anywhere in the state.

The OMI generates the Report of Findings, and a report of the medical examination (either an External Examination Report or the Autopsy Report). A toxicology Report is sometimes generated by the Forensic Laboratory of the State Laboratory and is provided to the OMI. These three reports comprise the results of the investigation as conducted and recorded by law.

Reports are provided without cost to the District Attorney in the jurisdiction in which the event leading to the death occurred, to the law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the death, and the next of kin.

All requests for reports other than those automatically sent to Law Enforcement and the District Attorney must be made in writing to our office. When family members request autopsy reports, OMI will offer to have the family review the information with a staff pathologist or suggest that the information be reviewed with the family's private physician. Information on how to request a report follows:

RECORDS MANAGER
NM OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR
MSC11 6030
1 UNM
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87131-0001

Date of Request
Decedent's full legal name
Medical Investigator number (if known)
Date of death
Date of birth

Indicate which reports are being requested: Report of Findings, Autopsy Report, Toxicology Report, External Examination. Relationship of requestor to the decedent including: Full legal name, mailing address, telephone number to contact when reports are ready. Any additional information or comments the requestor would like to make should be added at the bottom of the request. The legal next-of-kin is entitled to one free copy of all reports provided that they personally request those documents. All other persons or agencies requesting copies will be billed at the current rate below. Payment must be included with the request or received prior to having reports mailed.

Since the OMI is a government funded agency, certain public information and records are available to any person. Document fees are shown below.

CURRENT DOCUMENT FEES

For more information on requesting documents from the OMI, contact the Records Manager, OMI - (505) 272-0728.

THE DEATH CERTIFICATE: The OMI is responsible for certifying a cause and manner of death in all cases falling within the jurisdiction of the office. Once signed, the death certificate is provided to the funeral home or the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics for further action and filing. Copies of the death certificate may be ordered through the Funeral Home used by the family or through the NM Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, P. O. Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502 - or call (505) 827-2338

PHOTOGRAPHS: Photographic documentation is done in the majority of OMI investigations. All film processing, cataloging, storage, and duplication is managed by our office. Photographic materials are available for review by authorized individuals. All requests to purchase photographic materials must be prepaid. For more information on requesting photographic materials, contact the Records Manager,OMI - (505) 272-0728