Do Toxicology Reports Take So Long?

Popular “crime scene investigation” television programs are able to complete toxicology reports in a very short (and unrealistic) time frame. However, in reality, while an autopsy is usually completed within a day or two after a death, the final results of the toxicology report may take four to six weeks or longer.

Why does an autopsy report take so long?

But why does it take so long to get a report from a typical autopsy? The answer lies largely in the backlog of the lab which processes autopsy samples, such as toxicology and histology samples, from the procedure.

How long does it take to get autopsy results?

Autopsies usually take two to four hours to perform. Preliminary results can be released within 24 hours, but the full results of an autopsy may take up to six weeks to prepare.