Specialized Forensic Testing
You Don’t Always Need a Full Autopsy to Get Answers
FPS offers independent toxicology and histology testing as standalone services. If you have a specific question about how your loved one died, we can test for exactly that. Nothing more than what you need.
FPS offers independent toxicology and histology testing as standalone services. If you have a specific question about how your loved one died, we can test for exactly that. Nothing more than what you need.
You want to know if drugs, alcohol, or a specific substance played a role in the death.
The official toxicology results were unclear, incomplete, or never shared with your family.
Your loved one died unexpectedly and you want to rule out poisoning or substance involvement.
A physician or genetic counselor has recommended tissue analysis to identify hereditary conditions.
You want to know if an underlying disease or condition contributed to the death.
An attorney needs independent lab findings to support or challenge a case.
You need answers but a full autopsy is not financially feasible right now.
What it is:
Independent analysis of biological samples to detect and measure substances in the body at the time of death. This includes prescription medications, illegal drugs, alcohol, carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and other compounds.
What it can tell you:
- Whether a specific substance was present.
- Whether levels were within normal range or toxic.
- Whether substance involvement was consistent with the stated cause of death.
- Whether additional substances were present that were not identified in the original report.
Who requests this:
Families who were not given toxicology results, families who don’t trust the original findings, attorneys building or defending a case, and insurance organizations evaluating a claim
Turnaround note:
Toxicology results typically take four to six weeks, depending on the substances being tested and sample availability. We give you a clear timeline before testing begins.
What it is:
Microscopic analysis of tissue samples to identify disease, structural changes, and injury patterns that are not visible during a standard external examination. Histology looks at the body at a cellular level.
What it can tell you:
- Whether an underlying disease or condition was present at the time of death.
- Whether tissue changes are consistent with a specific cause of death.
- Whether hereditary or genetic conditions may be present that could affect living family members.
- Whether findings from the original autopsy were accurately interpreted.
Why this matters for families:
If a hereditary condition is identified in tissue analysis, living family members can begin screening and treatment as early as possible. This is one of the most important and often overlooked reasons families request histology testing after an unexpected death.
Who requests this:
Families dealing with sudden cardiac death or unexplained causes, physicians and genetic counselors, attorneys challenging original autopsy findings, and hospitals or healthcare organizations.
The toxicology and histology results from a county medical examiner or hospital are produced by the same institution managing the case. That does not make them wrong. But if you have questions about the findings, or if results were never shared with you at all, an independent test gives you an unbiased second data point.
FPS uses independent, accredited laboratories. Every result is interpreted by a board-certified forensic pathologist with no prior connection to the case, the county office, or the institution involved.
“Independence is not optional in our work. It’s essential.”
Reach Out to Our Team
Call us or submit a request. An FPS team member responds within 24 hours. We ask about your situation, the timeline, and what samples may be available. We help you understand your options before anything else.
Sample Collection and Transfer
If samples exist, we coordinate secure transfer from the original examining office or laboratory directly to our accredited testing facility. If samples have not yet been collected, we can arrange for one of our trained forensic professionals to handle collection directly. You do not need to handle this yourself. We manage the logistics entirely.
Independent Analysis
Your samples are analyzed by an accredited laboratory and interpreted by one of our 180+ board-certified forensic pathologists for full independence from any institution involved in the original case.
You Receive a Clear Written Report
Your results are provided in plain language. We explain what was found, what it means, and what it does or does not support. If you want to speak directly with the reviewing pathologist, that option is available.
Specialized testing is priced based on the type of analysis required and the number of substances or tissue samples being reviewed. FPS is transparent about cost from the first conversation. You will receive a clear breakdown before any testing begins.
Standalone toxicology and histology testing is significantly less expensive than a full private autopsy, making it an accessible option for families who need specific answers without the full scope of an independent examination.
FPS also offers:
- Payment plans through Affirm Financing.
- Life insurance accepted toward the cost of services.
Call us to discuss pricing for your specific situation. We will give you an honest estimate based on what your case actually requires.
Many families contact us before they know exactly what they need. Tell us what happened and we will help you figure out whether specialized testing is the right fit and what is realistically possible given your timeline.