Comprehensive Autopsy & Death Investigation Services
Private autopsies in Florida and New York for families, attorneys & organizations
Our Services
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Private autopsy performed by a dual-board certified forensic pathologist and extensively experienced autopsy technician - anywhere in the states of Florida or New York. Our staff will assist you to determine the extent of autopsy (full, partial, etc) required for your specific case.
Components
External examination
Complete or partial internal examination
Specimen sampling for histology and toxicology
Ancillary studies:
Microbiology
Genetic testing
Deliverables
Formal medicolegal autopsy report
Cause and manner of death determination
Photographic documentation (secured and cataloged)
Evidence preservation and chain-of-custody documentation
Uses
Families seeking independent verification or second opinion
Disputed or unclear cause of death
Medical malpractice concerns
Religious or cultural preferences for private handling
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We provide locum tenens coverage to support medical examiner and coroner offices facing staffing gaps, surge capacity demands or transitional periods.
Our board-certified forensic pathologist is available for medical examiner assignments in Florida and New York, bringing expertise in complex casework, including aquatic fatalities, and fellow/trainee education.
Andrew, an experienced autopsy technician and ABMDI fellow board-certified death investigator, is available for nationwide locum tenens assignments. His expertise extends beyond autopsy support to include administration and office management, mass fatality response, pediatric and aquatic death investigations, and the training and supervision of autopsy technicians and death investigators. He is also experienced in report review and quality assurance, contributing to consistent, high-standard documentation and casework.
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Expert case review without performing a physical examination.
Includes
Review of:
Prior autopsy reports
Medical records
Scene investigation reports
Imaging and diagnostic studies
Independent cause and manner of death opinion
Identification of inconsistencies or missed findings
Deliverables
Written forensic consultation report
Optional verbal consultation with family or attorney
Uses
Legal cases
Insurance disputes
Appeals of official determinations
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Independent reconstruction and analysis of circumstances surrounding death - bridges the gap between forensic pathology and medicolegal investigative analysis.
Components
Scene review (in-person or via documentation)
Injury interpretation and correlation
Timeline reconstruction
Integration of:
Autopsy findings
Witness statements
Environmental factors
Deliverables
Scene investigation report
Forensic opinion on mechanism and manner of death
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Formal re-evaluation of previously investigated deaths.
Includes
Second autopsies or re-interpretation of previously conducted autopsy
Histology slide review
Toxicology reassessment
Identification of diagnostic errors or omissions
Deliverables
Defensible second-opinion report
Expert witness services if needed
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Recovery of organs and tissues for diagnostic and research purposes.
Applications
Research (academic or private)
Diagnostic clarification
Family-directed donation (non-transplant)
Operational Requirements
Strict next-of-kin authorization
Compliance with Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and state-specific statutes (FL, NJ, NY, PA)
Components
Organ and/or tissue procurement
Tissue sampling
Proper preservation
Chain-of-custody and tracking
Deliverables
Recovery and/or pathology report
Specimen documentation
Coordination with courier(s) and receiving institution(s)
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Litigation support and expert analysis.
Services
Medical record interpretation
Pain and suffering assessment
Deposition and trial testimony
Report writing compliant with legal standards
Deliverables
Expert reports
Affidavits
Courtroom testimony
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Partial autopsy and/or postmortem organ and tissue sampling for diagnosis of occupational exposure-related disease.
Deliverables
Pathology and/or autopsy report(s)
Specimen sampling and histology (microscopic slides) analysis for definitive diagnosis of occupational or environmental-exposure related diseases
Uses
Families with questions regarding whether job- or environmental-related exposure contributed to death of a loved one
Attorneys or law firms for litigation purposes
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Examination of the brain and/or spinal cord for neurodegeneration or trauma affecting the nervous system
Deliverables
Partial or full autopsy with emphasis on brain and/or spinal cord
Autopsy report
Sampling of brain and/or spinal cord for histology
Examination of microscopic slides by board-certified forensic neuropathologist for diagnosis or exclusion of neurological conditions
Re-examination of a brain or spinal cord previously autopsied or record review
Uses
Families with questions regarding whether a loved one had a condition such as dementia (including Alzheimer’s), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Parkinson’s disease or other condition affecting the brain or spinal cord
Families who question the cause and manner of death determination made by an initial autopsy
Attorneys or law firms for litigation purposes
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Blood or specimen retrieval for toxicological analysis in cases where a drug overdose or poisoning is suspected
Deliverables
Full toxicology report
Interpretation of postmortem toxicology
Determination of whether a toxic agent contributed to the death
Uses
Families with questions regarding whether a loved one died due to a drug or poison
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Full investigation of deaths occurring in or related to aquatic environments
Deliverables
Death scene investigation if applicable
Recovery of submerged evidence, including human remains
Scuba or other dive-related equipment assessment
Dive computer interrogation
Gas analysis of scuba tanks
Autopsy or second autopsy
Death investigation and/or autopsy report
Uses
Families with questions regarding specific cause of death in cases that have been ruled “drownings”
Families with suspicion of foul play in deaths occurring in or around water
Families who suspect an equipment malfunction, dive shop error or dive boat negligence contributing to a death that occurred while scuba diving
About Us
Private Autopsy and Death Investigation Experts is a specialized, independent forensic practice dedicated to delivering accurate, objective and scientifically grounded postmortem evaluations. We are a private autopsy provider in Florida and New York that also offers a full suite of death investigation services.
Our husband-and-wife team is composed of a dual board-certified forensic pathologist, certified in both anatomic and forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology, and an experienced medicolegal death investigator, board certified at the fellow level by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Together, we bring over 20 years of combined experience in forensic pathology, autopsy, death investigation, toxicology and postmortem organ and tissue procurement. Our work is grounded in established forensic methodology, meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to forensic medicolegal standards.
Dr. Tiffany Sheganoski earned her bachelor of science degree in biology from Drexel University in Philadelphia and her doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey. Tiffany completed a residency in anatomic pathology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, and a fellowship in forensic pathology at the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department. She has full medical licenses in the states of Florida and New York. Tiffany continues to work as an associate medical examiner in the Miami ME Office, where she also serves as faculty for the fellowship training program.
Andrew Sheganoski obtained his bachelor of science degree in biology from the Pennsylvania State University, and worked in the toxicology field prior to joining the medical examiner office. Within the ME office, Andrew worked as an autopsy technician and medicolegal death investigator before assuming the role of chief investigator and office administrator. Throughout his career, Andrew has performed postmortem tissue and organ procurement, and is a member of the national Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) and the Florida Emergency Mortuary Operations Response System (FEMORS).
Both Tiffany and Andrew are certified technical scuba and cavern divers, with advanced training through Technical Diving International. This experience allows us to investigate water-related and aquatic deaths with a greater degree of insight and understanding of the complex nature of deaths involving terminal submersion.
Our mission is to provide clarity, accuracy and answers in the most difficult and uncertain circumstances surrounding death. We are committed to assisting families, attorneys and institutions by providing independent, evidence-based conclusions that help resolve complex and disputed cases. We specialize in evaluating complex deaths, including those involving unclear or competing causes, potential trauma, medical intervention or multifactorial conditions. By integrating forensic pathology with thorough investigative analysis, we aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of death and provide defensible, scientifically sound determinations.
At the core of our practice is a commitment to truth, transparency and the responsible application of forensic science in service of both families seeking understanding and professionals requiring expert insight.
Contact Us
Please provide your contact info and a brief description of the services you are interested in, and we will reach out to schedule a free consultation.