Southeast Texas Forensic Center is responsible for the determination of the cause and manner of a sudden, violent or unusual death within the counties currently served, upon request of the Justice of the Peace. We are currently not a Medical Examiner's office therefore we work closely with each Justice of the Peace to help provide the necessary information to rule on a cause and manner of death. When the cause and manner of death are determined by an autopsy, a preliminary report is faxed to the Justice of the Peace within the first business day. The average turn around time for an autopsy report is three to five business days. When the cause and manner of death is dependent upon toxicological studies and/or microscopic examination of tissue, the average time is two to three weeks.

A licensed Pathologist specializing in Forensic Pathology performs all autopsies at each of our facilities. During an autopsy there may be a need for toxicological studies to help determine the cause and manner of death. Our toxicological studies and DNA testing are both conducted by certified Forensic laboratories. Our microscopic examination of tissue is performed by the licensed Pathologist at each facility. We also have access to the top Forensic Anthropologist in the State of Texas is needed.

Each facility is designed in a secure manner for the integrity of all evidence and property. All bodies will be released under the direct supervision and attendance of an employee of the Forensic Center. In order to accommodate grieving families, we are able to release bodies seven days a week within specified hours.

In our brief time that we have been open for business, we have received commendations from the police and sheriff's officers. The opportunity to work hand in hand with detectives and investigators enables all entities involved to finalize case findings.