Many physicians who are doing medical research are interested in obtaining tissue or organs from Medical Examiner cases. We recognize the value of such research and wish to cooperate as fully as possible. We are, however, limited by law as to the amount and kinds of tissues that we can retain.

According to the Georgia Death Investigation Act, we are authorized to obtain and retain tissues and organs only for diagnostic or evidence purposes. We cannot specifically take samples only for research purposes unless we obtain permission from the family or next-of-kin. There is an exception to this general rule. We may provide corneal tissue to the Georgia Eye Bank when it is needed for transplantation and no objections of the next-of-kin are known, but, as previously described, we prefer to have specific permission from the family.

Requests for specific tissues or organs from Medical Examiner cases for research or teaching purposes do occur, but require that the requesting party obtain specific permission from the next-of-kin before we can obtain and provide the organs or tissue.