Globe Newspaper Co. v. Chief Medical Examiner

The single, narrow issue in this appeal is whether reports of autopsies conducted by a medical examiner pursuant to G. L. c. 38, § 6, are “medical files or information” and exempt from disclosure under G. L. c. 4, § 7, Twenty-sixth (c). We hold them to be exempt.

The Legislature has declared that every person having custody of any public record “shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it” to be inspected by any person and shall furnish a copy upon payment of a reasonable fee. G. L. c. 66, § 10 (a) (1986 ed.). “Public records” are defined and exemptions are set forth…