25-47 Coroner Jurisdiction and Collaboration with Law Enforcement.pdf

TRAINING BULLETIN Issue: 25-47 DATE: October 2, 2025 Coroner Jurisdiction and Collaboration with Law Enforcement The purpose of this bulletin outlines the legal jurisdiction of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division and emphasizes the importance of interagency collaboration during death investigations. As first responders, your actions are critical to ensuring these death investigations are conducted with legal integrity, professionalism, and respect for the decedent. Legal Authority – California Law Government Code 27491 The Coroner is legally mandated to investigate and determine the cause, manner, and circumstances of death in cases involving but not limited to the following: • All violent, sudden, or unusual deaths • Known or suspected homicides • Suicides or accidental deaths • Deaths without medical attendance within the past 20 days • In-custody deaths • Deaths under suspicious or unknown circumstances • Where the suspected cause of death is sudden infant death syndro