State rankings

Autopsy Laws by State

Iowa has the highest # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy (14), followed by New Jersey (11) and Florida (9). Alaska has the lowest (1).

HealthLaw51 states · 7 metricsUpdated Apr 27, 2025Original page
35 sources
# of Characteristics Which Require an AutopsyBetter directionWhether a higher or a lower value is better. A green arrow means higher is better, a red arrow means lower is better, and no arrow means neither.More in the glossary →
50 of 51 states

# of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy

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All 50 ranked

Highest first.

Distribution Median and middle halfThe median is the middle value: half of places are above it, half below. The middle half is the range holding the central 50% of places.More in the glossary →

Each dot is one state; the lines mark the median and the middle half.

Median
2
Middle half 1 – 4
Average
3.24
50 states
Highest
14
Iowa
Lowest
1
Alaska

Data

Click a column to sort, a row to highlight that place on the charts.

51 states · # = rank by # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy
#
1Iowa14Discretionary
2New Jersey11Required
3Florida9Discretionary
3Tennessee9Discretionary
3Rhode Island9Discretionary
6Wisconsin7No
7Illinois5No
7Ohio5Required
7Washington5Discretionary
10Texas4Required
10Pennsylvania4Required
10Indiana4Required
10South Carolina4Discretionary
10Louisiana4Required
10Utah4Required
10Wyoming4Discretionary
17Virginia3Required
17Arizona3Discretionary
17Missouri3Required
17Kansas3Required
17New Mexico3Required
17North Dakota3Discretionary
23California2Discretionary
23New York2Required
23Georgia2Discretionary
23North Carolina2Required
23Connecticut2Discretionary
23Nebraska2No
23West Virginia2Required
23New Hampshire2Required
23Maine2Required
23Montana2Discretionary
23Delaware2Required
23South Dakota2Discretionary
23District of Columbia2Required
23Vermont2Discretionary
37Michigan1Discretionary
37Massachusetts1Discretionary
37Maryland1No
37Colorado1No
37Minnesota1Discretionary
37Alabama1Discretionary
37Kentucky1Discretionary
37Oregon1Discretionary
37Oklahoma1Required
37Nevada1No
37Mississippi1Required
37Idaho1Discretionary
37Hawaii1Required
37Alaska1Discretionary
—Arkansas—No

What correlates with # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy?

Pearson r against 2,108 other state metrics sharing at least 30 states. Ranks are read by standing: a better rank counts as higher, whether rank 1 is the best place on a list or the worst. Correlation is not causation.

Higher together

Places that have a higher # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy tend to score higher on these (or rank better)

  1. Public Land % Change since 1990Public Land by State
    r = +0.56 · strong · n = 50
    Plot
  2. Total District-Level Book BansBanned Books by State
    r = +0.52 · strong · n = 43
    Plot
  3. Wages Subjected To TaxState Unemployment Insurance (SUI) Rates by State
    r = +0.50 · moderate · n = 49
    Plot
  4. Corn ProductionCorn Production by State
    r = +0.49 · moderate · n = 30
    Plot
  5. Hog Production ($)Hog Production by State
    r = +0.48 · moderate · n = 45
    Plot
  6. Hog Production (Lbs)Hog Production by State
    r = +0.47 · moderate · n = 45
    Plot

Opposite directions

Places that have a higher # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy tend to score lower on these (or rank worse)

  1. Minimum Age to Receive TattooTattoo Laws by State
    r = −0.39 · moderate · n = 49
    Plot
  2. Experienced Any Domestic Violence in Lifetime - WomenDomestic Violence by State
    r = −0.38 · moderate · n = 50
    Plot
  3. Enhanced Penalties LimitBAC Limit by State
    r = −0.36 · moderate · n = 44
    Plot
  4. Scenic Beauty RankMost Beautiful StatesA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = +0.35 · moderate · n = 48
    Plot
  5. # of Bortle 2 SitesDarkest States in the US
    r = −0.35 · moderate · n = 38
    Plot
  6. Off-Grid Affordability ScoreOff-Grid Living Legal States
    r = −0.34 · moderate · n = 49
    Plot

Quick answers

Which state has the highest # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy?
Iowa has the highest # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy, at 14, followed by New Jersey (11) and Florida (9).
Which state has the lowest # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy?
Alaska has the lowest # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy, at 1.
What is the median # of Characteristics Which Require an Autopsy across US states?
The median is 2 across the 50 US states with data.
Where does this autopsy laws by state data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Table 2: Selected Characteristics of Deaths Requiring Autopsy by State - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Mobile County Medical Examiner Laws, Ala. Code § 45-49-171.66 - Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences; Frequently Asked Questions - Alaska Department of Health Division of Public Health; Arizona Coroner/Medical Examiner Laws - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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