office (803) 276-0201
fax (803) 276-0208
toll-free (888) 446-9898
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some questions that are asked of us on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully you might find the answers useful.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located in midstate South Carolina, about thirty minutes from Columbia. Our address is: 185 Executive Dr., Newberry, SC 29108. You can view a map of the area here.
Q: What services do you perform?
A: We perform forensic autopsies for both coroners and private parties, autopsy exhumed bodies, analyze tissue samples in a clinical capacity, and provide expert testimony for court.
Q: Are you morticians?
A: No, we are not morticians, nor do we function as such. We provide investigative and interpretive services, but do not arrange or embalm bodies for burial. That job is performed by morticians, usually at a funeral home.
Q: Do you perform radiographic and/or dental identification?
A: Yes, we perform dental identification services with the help of a local dentist who has forensic training. We also identify decedents by radiographic techniques.
Q: Do you perform DNA testing or identification?
A: No, but we do collect samples from decedents for that purpose. We can furnish a list of DNA labs on request.
Q: Do you do facial reconstruction or superimposition for identification?
A: No, but we can refer you to people who do.
Q: Do you testify in court as to whether a person was given proper medical treatment?
A: No. That is best done by a physician who treats patients. However, the autopsy findings and pathologist's opinions about cause of death is helpful to the testifying physician.
Q: Do you do toxicology consultations?
A: We send toxicology cases to a board certified forensic toxicologist with a PhD in Pharmacology for opinions.
Q: How many cases does your practice perform each year?
A: We do between 750 and 900 cases each year. These are primarily for approximately 30 County Coroners.
Q: How often do members of your practice testify in court each year?
A: Our practice receives three to five subpoenas a week. We average from forty to fifty court appearances per year.
Q: Do the members of your group who testify in court have forensic training?
A: All members of our group who perform autopsies, dictate cases, review consults and testify in court are nationally board certified forensic pathologists.
Q: Do the members of your group have email addresses?
A: Yes. Joel Sexton's address is joel.sexton@newberrypathology.com and Janice Ross's is janice.ross@newberrypathology.com.
Q: Do you perform private autopsies?
A: Yes, with proper permission from next of kin.
Q: How much do you charge for a private autopsy?
A: The current fee for a written report including toxicology is $2,450.00. Payment must be in the form of a cashier's or certified check that is sent with the decedent.
Q: Will I know the results of a private autopsy immediately?
A: Often the results are clear after the autopsy. However, if toxicology results or results of other studies are needed it may be several weeks to a month before an opinion can be rendered.
Q: How long does it take for toxicology results to come back?
A: Results take from several weeks to over a year.
Q: Do you testify in court in civil suits?
A: Yes. Some of the coroner's cases we perform result in civil suits. We also do private consultations that sometimes require testimony in court.
Q: Do you accept private consultations?
A: Yes. We do private consultations on previously autopsied individuals, living injury patients, and deceased to be disinterred for autopsy.
Q: Is there photographic documentation of your work?
A: Yes, we take photographs, and often short videos, during every case.
Q: How can someone obtain copies of photographs, X-rays, reports and worksheets?
A: Due to HIPAA regulations only certain designated persons are permitted access to this material with subpoenas. These include the coroner's office, law enforcement, solicitor's offices, and appropriate medical personnel.
Q: Do you sometimes take X-rays?
A: Yes. When the history or condition of the decedent warrants, X-rays are taken and stored in our office.
Q: Do you accept payment in the form of credit cards?
A: Not at this time. However, we hope to soon be able to accept secure credit card payments over the internet. We do not accept personal checks.