Private Autopsy Service an independent entity conceived, developed, and implemented to compensate for the dearth in professional death investigation in the civil court arena. Changes are occurring at a very fast pace in the field of medicolegal death investigation. What was once considered adequate has become a more sophisticated process subject to critical review by the legal system, defendants and the clients we serve. With this in mind we have constructed a state of the art facility, where all available information relating to a death investigation is assembled to determine why the death occurred.

At PAS particular attention is paid to the collection and handling of physical, photographic, toxicological and microbiologic evidence. By establishing proper chain of custody, subsequent allegations of tampering and contamination are eliminated. In addition to both primary and secondary autopsy services, PAS also offers tissue retrieval for toxicology or DNA testing, complete exhumation services, and case evaluation. Our facility is equipped to transport, store, autopsy and release back to the funeral home of choice, within 24 hours of receiving proper authorization and fee.

PAS is blessed to have many professional individuals whose contributions combine synergistically to make our services the highest quality available.

Dr. Adam Merchant, M.D. is Director of Pathology. Dr. Merchant is Board Certified in Clinical & Anatomical Pathology and Board Certified in Forensic Pathology. He has experience in both the New York and Michigan Medical Examiner Systems and many years in the Oklahoma Medical Examiner System as well. Dr. Merchant's forensic experience includes having performed over 2,500 autopsies and in excess of 15,000 death investigations in his capacity as ME and for the last 10 years in private practice.

G. Terry Felts, MA is Administrator / Investigator of PAS. Mr. Felts has experience with the Oklahoma City Police Department, 18 years as a private investigator, six years as a death investigator in the Oklahoma Medical Examiner System and is a Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator.

Mr Steve Mullins, PA has several years experience as a pathology and histology assistant in the Oklahoma Medical Examiner System.

Our building is the most visible expression of our commitment to the families we have served in the past and those who we will serve in the years to come.

Prior to this time, little emphasis was placed on the location where autopsies for the private sector were conducted. Consequently, the medicolegal evidence, body fluids and tissue specimens taken at autopsy were not maintained with the same degree of integrity, security and professionalism as those used as evidence in criminal cases. Times are changing.