Darilee, There is a difference between an autopsy and a coroner's inquest. Unlike autopsy records, inquest records should be open to the general public. After hearing testimony, a coroner's jury renders its verdict and certifies the same in writing signed by the jurors, and setting forth who the person killed is, if known, and when, where and by what means he came to his death; or if he was killed, or his death was occasioned by the act of another by criminal means, who is guilty thereof, if known. (RCW 36.24.070) In the State of Washington, law directs that the investigation of sudden and innatural deaths take place within the 39 county jurisdictions. Currently (as of 1999), six Washington counties have Medical Examiners rather than Coroners (Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane and Whatcom). Five of those counties (excluding Whatcom) have forensic pathologists serving as the Medical Examiner. However, in King County the need for some inquests, especially those involving law enforcement, may be determined by the County Executive. King County maintains an archives for some of its record groups. All records held by the King County Archives are available for research by the public. The Archives is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, by appointment. Please call Archives staff to discuss your research needs and to schedule an appointment. Telephone: (206) 296-1538; Fax: (206) 205-1399; Internal Mailstop: M/S RED-1A-0100; Mailing Address: 1215 E. Fir Street, Seattle, WA 98122; E-mail: archives@metrokc.gov . Another source to check for availability of King County inquest records might be Pam Cole, Public Disclosure Officer, King County Executive's Office, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3210, Seattle, WA 98104; telephone: 206-296-4040; website: http://www.metrokc.gov/pdisclosure.htm Pierce County and additional King County records would be archived at the Puget Sound Region of Washington State Archives. Contact Puget Sound Regional Archives, Pritchard-Fleming Building, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, MS-N100, Bellevue, WA 98007-6484; telephone (425) 564-3940; Email: archives@bcc.ctc.edu . Good luck. Bob Witherspoon In a message dated 12/23/2005 1:31:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, gclester@juno.com writes: Darilee asked about coroner's records: where they would be and if the public can look at them. More recent ones, such as the 1981 record she is looking for would still be in the county records, but it doesn't appear that the public can just go through them, which is probably sensible. This link to the King County Medical Examiner's Office gives general info and how to get a copy of an autopsy report, but says the requester must be a family member.