Why This Matters...

For living citizens, modern society is packed with pervasive state monitoring, digital tracking, and mandatory compliance under the banner of safety. Yet, when it comes to state-operated morgues and forensic investigations involving suspicious or unattended deaths, operations frequently occur behind closed doors with zero real-time verification and limited family access.

As investigative reporters and advocates digging into public records, we consistently find that grieving families are locked out of the truth when they need it most. Grieving families possess a fundamental due process right to independent oversight. Taxpayer-funded medical examiners should operate under total operational transparency, ensuring that investigations can be audited with verifiable accuracy. Because transparency looks good on everyone, the system is due for a complete overhaul.

The Forensic Accountability and Family Transparency Act (FATFAct) introduces hard legislative mandates to bring accountability back to public forensics:

• High-Definition Visual Documentation:  Mandates unalterable digital photographic and video recording of major body cavities and autopsies, protected by cryptographic hashing.
• Independent Observation:  Guarantees families the statutory right to have an independent, licensed pathologist present during primary autopsies.
• Strict Chain of Custody & Split Testing:  Requires biological samples to be automatically divided into parallel batches for independent family verification.
• Strict Reporting Timelines:  Mandates preliminary findings within 14 business days and complete toxicology and final reports within 60 calendar days.
• Independent Oversight Boards:  Establishes national and state oversight boards equipped with formal subpoena power to review fast-tracked closures and prevent premature or unverified rulings.

Sign and share this petition to demand accountability, eliminate systemic opacity, and ensure families are never locked out of the truth.