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THE ROLE OF THE CORONER

THE ROLE OF THE CORONER. Statutory Responsibilities and “What do they do that, or are they just weird?”. Chris Herndon, D-ABMDI. Board Secretary Education Chair Coroner Assist Team Colorado Coroners Association. We have to find humor!. Death Investigation .

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THE ROLE OF THE CORONER

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  1. THE ROLE OF THE CORONER Statutory Responsibilities and “What do they do that, or are they just weird?”

  2. Chris Herndon, D-ABMDI Board Secretary Education Chair Coroner Assist Team Colorado Coroners Association

  3. We have to find humor!

  4. Death Investigation • The Coroner investigates sudden or unexpected deaths, especially those occurring under violent or suspicious circumstances • Death investigation is a process involving multiple individuals and (sometimes) multiple agencies

  5. Death Investigation Systems in the United States • Coroner System – elected position • The position of Coroner originated in 12th Century England as a tax collector! • 11 States • ME System – appointed position • 22 States • Mixed - • 18 States

  6. Coroner System • Colorado is a Coroner System • Each of the 64 Counties have an elected Coroner • The only requirements are that the coroner be over 18, a resident of the county and not be a felon.

  7. The Coroner • Does not work for: • Law Enforcement • Physicians • Nursing Homes or Hospitals • Prosecution or Defense • The Coroner’s Office does work • ON BEHALF OF THE DECEASED

  8. Statutory Obligations • CRS 30-10-606, et al • The body cannot be moved without permission of the Coroner • Pronounce Death… • and determine the Time of death • Determine the Cause and Manner of death • Assume custody of the body • and articles on or surrounding the body • Serve process upon, and arrest the Sheriff

  9. Cause of Death • The underlying condition, disease or event leading to the fatal physiologic disturbance • Causes of death are innumerable • Coronary Artery Disease • Gunshot Wounds • Blunt force Trauma • Etc.

  10. Manner of Death • Reflects how the cause of death occurred • Determination of the manner of death relies on the consideration of all available information, from all sources, at the time of the ruling • There are five manners of death in the United States:

  11. Manners of Death • Natural • Accident • Suicide • Homicide • Undetermined

  12. We Need To Add • Stupidity It’s our job security

  13. Time of Death • Physical exam by coroner at scene (as soon as possible is best) • Last seen ……. When found • Rigor mortis, livor mortis • Stomach contents • Insects, exposure, temperature, humidity • Clothing • Medical condition at time of death

  14. Process of Death Investigation • Scene Investigation • Does the body & scene say the same thing that the witnesses are saying? • Documentation • Photographs • Diagrams • Includes the collection of records • Review of medical, family, work and social history • Autopsy • Ancillary Tests • Toxicology, Radiology, Histology • Final Conclusion

  15. Scene Investigation • Respond to the scene • Document the scene • Pronounce Death • Assume custody of the body • Prepare the body for removal • Preserve chain of custody

  16. Scene Investigation • Work with but not for Law Enforcement • Identify, document and collect vital information and evidence. In an independent investigation.

  17. Deaths that should be reported to the Coroner: • Where there is no physician in attendance. This means that the deceased person is not under the care of any physicians. • The attending physician is unable or unwilling to certify the cause of death. • The attending physician has not been in actual attendance within 30 days prior to death. • All cases in which trauma, may be associated with the death, such as traffic accidents, gunshot wounds, falls, etc. This includes inpatients who have sustained fractures, which precipitated the hospital stay. • Deaths by poison, suspected poisoning, chemical or bacterial, industrial hazardous material, or radiation. • All industrial accidents. • Known or suspected suicides. • Deaths due to contagious disease. • Deaths due to self induced or unexplained abortion. • Operating room deaths and deaths that occur during a medical procedure. • All unexplained deaths – deaths that occur in an otherwise healthy individual. • Deaths that occur within 24 hours of admission to a hospital or nursing care facility. • Deaths in the custody of law enforcement. • Deaths of persons in the care of a public institution.

  18. Deaths that should be reported to the Coroner: • Primarily deaths that are sudden and unexpected

  19. Discovery of Human Remains • CRS 20-80-1302 • Of forensic value? • Native American?

  20. When a death has occurred • The death is reported to the Coroner or LEA • Coroner or physician pronounces death • Body may not be moved until coroner arrives to examine or release case • Coroner does a medico-legal investigation • Assumes custody of body • Releases to mortuary • Release to family • Release to hospital/NH • Coroner may assume custody of belongings of deceased until determination of NOK

  21. The Autopsy • The decision of doing an autopsy, toxicology, radiology, or other testing is not made until medico-legal information is gathered. • Clinical correlation with scene findings • Review of anti-mortem medical records • Review of family history, criminal history, psychological history, etc. • External findings / examination

  22. The Autopsy • Ancillary studies (autopsy, toxicology, radiology, anthropology, psychological autopsy) are all tools used to assist in determining cause and manner of death • The Coroner determines which ancillary studies are done • Not law enforcement • Not the family

  23. Why does the Coroner’s Office perform an autopsy? • Determine the Cause and Manner of death • Recover and identify evidentiary material • Provide interpretation and correlation of facts and circumstances related to death as provided by the medico-legal investigator • Assist in body identification

  24. Autopsy Means “seeing for oneself” • The clinical or hospital autopsy • The medico-legal or forensic autopsy

  25. What is included in a forensic medico-legal autopsy? • Exterior examination of body • Dissection and examination of major organs • Microscopic study of tissue from organs • Analysis of available body fluids

  26. Body Identification • The Coroner must positively identify: • All deceased persons • Fingerprints, dental, visual, photo, radiological, DNA

  27. Identification and Notification of the Next of Kin • The correct person must be notified • Spouse (may be separated) • Children • Parents • Siblings • Aunts & Uncles • A notification must ALWAYS be done in person • Must be done before name released to media

  28. Other Responsibilities of the Coroner • Maintains records an statistics • Makes reports to State and Federal agencies regarding: • AIDS, Suicides, Traffic Accidents, Child Deaths, Occupational Deaths, Consumer Product Safety • Donor Alliance • Physician Feedback • Family Medical Issues • Training • Disaster Preparation

  29. The Death Certificate • Final document – who signs them? • Coroners, Physicians, both • Can be changed (amended) • Filed at County and State Dept of Vital Records • Insurance • All legal matters – criminal & civil

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