Tulsa may halt autopsies to cut costs

Associated Press

Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffery Gofton said plans are being considered to stop performing autopsies at the Tulsa branch of the medical examiner's office as a way to cut costs.

David Dopp of Fitzgerald Funeral Services said if a person dies in the evening, an autopsy sometimes is done the next morning so the body can be returned to the family that afternoon.

He said if all autopsies are moved to Oklahoma City it could delay the funeral by several days.
Tulsa police are also concerned about ending autopsies in the Tulsa office.

In a homicide case, detectives would have to drive to Oklahoma City to conduct much of the  investigation, Cpl. Gene Watkins said.