Coroner

Overview of the Coroner’s Office

The Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden and/or unattended deaths throughout the county. Through an investigation, a determination is made as to the cause and the manner of death.

Responsibilities

The Coroner’s Office is responsible for:

• Identification of the deceased
• Notification of a death to the family
• Performing autopsies
• Initiation of the Death Certificates
• Providing Mortuary & Donation Information to help in facilitating final arrangements
• Testifying in civil and criminal proceedings
• Distributing accurate and timely information to family members, health care professionals, insurance companies, and the public through the media and news releases

Deaths Reportable to the Coroner’s Office

• Deaths within 24 hours of admission to a hospital
• Deaths in which a physician is not in attendance or has not been in actual attendance of the decedent within thirty days prior to death
• Deaths that occur in a hospital emergency department
• Traumatic, chemical or violent deaths (homicidal, suicidal, or accidental)
• Deaths occurring in a hospital operating room
• Deaths associated with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
• Deaths in which the attending physician is unable to certify the cause of death
• Deaths due to unexplained cause or under suspicious circumstances
• Deaths suspected to be due to infectious or contagious disease wherein the diagnosis and extent of disease are undetermined at the time of death
• Any sudden death of a person in apparent good health
• Deaths of individuals who were in the custody of law enforcement officials or who were incarcerated in a public institution
• All newborn infants who die within 24 hours of birth regardless of the duration of life
• Any fetal death due to or as a consequence of criminal abortion
• Every death that occurs outside of a hospital or nursing home

Any death in which there is a question as to whether or not it is a Coroner’s case should be reported.

It should be emphasized that, although a particular death may be “reportable” to the Coroner’s Office, an autopsy may not be necessary, depending upon the circumstances. The Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden and/or unattended deaths throughout the county. Through an investigation, a determination is made as to the cause and the manner of death.