Opinion ID: 1785608
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Autopsy Report Evidence

Text: Next, Owsley argues that Dr. Berkland, the medical examiner of Jackson County, should not have been allowed to testify as to the findings of another doctor who performed the autopsy on the victim, Mr. Iverson. Owsley contends that such testimony is hearsay because the performing doctor was available to testify. The record, however, shows that Dr. Berkland did not testify about the performing doctor's opinion but instead testified as an independently qualified expert who based his own opinions on the factual information in the autopsy report. In State v. Taylor, 944 S.W.2d 925 (Mo. banc 1997), this Court found no error where the same Dr. Berkland testified, after an independent review of autopsy photographs, about the position of entry and exit wounds on the victim. Id. at 939. This case is essentially no different. The point is denied.