Authority of Bureau of Prisons Physicians to Perform Autopsies

M arch 31, 1977 77-16 MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS Authority of Bureau of Prisons Physicians to Perform Autopsies This is in response to your memorandum requesting our opinion on whether wardens of Federal prisons can be empowered to authorize autopsies o f deceased inmates without regard to State laws requiring consent of next of kin or approval by State officials. We have examined the question, and we conclude that legislation is necessary for this purpose. In addition, we suggest the lines that a proposed statute might follow. The rights o f a surviving…