Policy Text
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is committed to work in partnership with our community to enhance the safety, security, and quality of life for the
residents and visitors of Kern County through professional public safety services.
DONNY YOUNGBLOOD
Sheriff-Coroner
1350 Norris Road, Bakersfield, California 93308-2231
Telephone (661) 391-7500
Death Investigations
Over the past few years, the Sheriff’s Office has seen a large influx of new deputies
successfully completing FTO and being assigned to a patrol position. Also, there has
been a steady increase in homicides occurring in Kern County. Many death investigations
are very clear-cut. However, there are certainly some death investigations that are not so
simple, some of which are determined to be a homicide after the initial investigation.
For these reasons, it is important to ensure death investigations are completed
thoroughly, regardless of the suspected cause of death. The importance of the preliminar