Autopsy on Wheels

Business is anything but dead for Vidal Herrera. In fact, it's on a roll!

Herrera rides around La Crescenta, CA, performing autopsies out of a fully equipped van. And he isn't shy about getting in your face with advertising.

The van's license plates are YSPOTUA, "autopsy" spelled backward. Emblazoned on the vehicle are the company name. Autopsy/Post Services, Inc. and phone number- 1-800-AUTOPSY

"There's a 1-800-DENTIST and 1-800-FLOWERS," says Herrera. "Why not 1-800-AUTOPSY?"

The 45-year old technician, who got his start as an autospy technician for Los Angeles County, charges $2,000 to $5,000 for his services, depending on how complex the case is. A network of 13 doctors certify his results, and he already has plans to sell franchises.

He is also set to launch a mail-order catalog this fall to peddle coffee mugs, shirts and pens.

Herrera's mobile business got into high gear when cuts in health care services led to downsizing of hospital personnel. In 1965, 42 percent of all hospital deaths were examined in-house, but today that figure has plummeted to 5 percent to 7 percent.

In addition, fears that hospital pathologists may not reveal all the details in some cases spur families to seek the services of an independent operator. Says Herrera: "There's a huge demand for this!"