Colin Kaepernick and his racial justice organization have launched a program to provide free follow-up autopsies on victims of police violence.
The Kaepernick-led Know Your Rights Camp confirmed the Autopsy Initiative on Wednesday. The initiative will enable families to seek more opinions if one of their relatives is killed by law enforcement officers.
Secondary autopsies have been conducted by other groups in numerous high-profile cases, including those of George Floyd, Keith Scott, and Ronald Greene.
Kaepernick said in an interview that “We know that the prison industrial complex, which includes police and policing, strives to protect and serve its interests at all costs”
He further said, “The Autopsy Initiative is one important step toward ensuring that family members have access to accurate and forensically verifiable information about the cause of death of their loved one in their time of need.”
Colin Kaepernick and company contracted several federally certified forensic pathologists to join the team, including Dr. Cyril Wecht, who is possibly the most famous medical examiner in the U.S.
Pathology coordinator, Dr. Cyril Wecht said “I am extremely enthusiastic about this truly unique program; The opportunity to have unbiased second autopsies performed by independent, experienced forensic pathologists in police-related deaths; will provide victims’ families with knowledge that the facts of any such case have been thoroughly analyzed; and prepared for appropriate utilization whenever deemed necessary.”
According to the group website; Autopsy reports will be released in full to whoever contacts the Autopsy Initiative. Anyone with a close relationship with a victim can work with the program. Kaepernick, 34, has turned to several initiatives and media projects; after NFL teams refused to sign him following his racial justice protests during the 2016 season.
