Personal property that accompanies the decedent to the Medical Examiner's Office will usually be released to the next-of-kin or other person authorized by the next-of-kin unless such property is to be used as evidence or is deemed to pose some hazard. Generally, personal property can be picked up during normal working hours at the Medical Examiner's Office the day following death. In most instances, personal property is released with the body to the authorized funeral home. In those cases in which personal property is used in legal proceedings, the property must be obtained from the police department or District Attorney which has jurisdiction over the case, when all proceedings have been concluded. This could take many months, or even years.

If the next-of-kin cannot be located the property is kept in the Medical Examiner's Office thirty (30) days before it is turned over to the Fulton County Treasurer. The treasurer in turn, holds the property for sixty (60) additional days. If unclaimed, it is held for auction.

Weapons used as instruments to commit suicide, unless needed as evidence and analysis, are routinely held for a period of 90 days. They are then returned to the legal next-of-kin or their agent, upon request. If unclaimed, they are eventually destroyed.