Eric Holder orders feds to conduct independent autopsy of Michael Brown

Attorney General Eric Holder on Sunday announced that he had authorized the federal government to conduct its own autopsy of Michael Brown, the 18-year-old who was shot to death by police in Ferguson, Missouri, last Saturday.

"Due to the extraordinary circumstances involved in this case and at the request of the Brown family, Attorney General Holder has instructed Justice Department officials to arrange for an additional autopsy to be performed by a federal medical examiner," DOJ spox Brian Fallon said in a statement.

Due to concerns about potential meddling from local law enforcement, Brown's family had asked the federal government to conduct an independent autopsy. The announcement comes after President Obama last week said he had instructed the DOJ and FBI to review Brown's death and the widely-criticized police response to the ensuing protests.

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