Policy Text
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Coroner Operations Manual
Placer County Coroner’s Facility
10951 Veterans Drive
Roseville, CA 95678
CORONER MANUAL INFORMATION
This Coroner Manual is designed for the Deputy Coroner’s use and
reference while working Coroner cases.
The Deputy Coroner must be aware that his/her greatest obligation is to
perform a THOROUGH and CAREFUL examination of ALL the
circumstances surrounding Coroner’s cases. It is especially important
that this obligation be fulfilled by the initial responding officer.
While it would be impossible to include all possible scenarios, specific
information is included in this Manual to help cover the most common
questions/material which should be addressed; during the investigation
and in the preparation of the written repor t.
This Coroner manual is arranged in two sections :
1. General Information - information regarding general Coroner duties and
responsibilities (page numbers starting with “G”)
2. Specific Types of Cases - information on each cause of death type, arranged
alphabetically (page numbers starting with “CT”)
.
Contents
JURISDICTIONS .......................................................................................................................................... G-1
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 27491 ...................................................................................................... G-2
CORONER REPORTS ................................................................................................................................... G-3
WRITING THE “CORONER FIELD REPORT” ............................................................................................ G-3
WRITING THE “REPORTABLE NON -CORONER/NCC” REPORT ............................................................... G-3
NOTIFICATION TO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ...................................................................... G-4
DEATH NOTIFICATION TO NEXT OF KIN .................................................................................................... G-5
NOTIFICATIONS COMPLETED BY OTHER AGENCIES .................................................................................. G-6
SIGNS OF DEATH ....................................................................................................................................... G-7
MEDICAL RECORDS ................................................................................................................................... G-8
MEDICATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... G-9
MORGUE DUTIES ..................................................................................................................................... G-10
CORONER’S PROPERTY ............................................................................................................................ G-11
PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY ..................................................................................................................... G-12
TISSUE AND ORGAN DONATIONS ........................................................................................................... G-13
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS .............................................................................................................................. CT-1
ASPIRATION OF FOOD - (CAFÉ CORONARY) ............................................................................................. CT-2
CARBON MONOXIDE ................................................................................................................................ CT-3
CHILD ABUSE ............................................................................................................................................ CT-4
CONVALESCENT HOSPITALS ..................................................................................................................... CT-5
FETAL DEATHS .......................................................................................................................................... CT-6
FIRE .......................................................................................................................................................... CT-7
HANGING ................................................................................................................................................. CT-8
HOMICIDES ............................................................................................................................................... CT-9
HOSPITAL DEATHS .................................................................................................................................. CT-10
IN CUSTODY DEATHS .............................................................................................................................. CT-11
MAJOR DISASTERS ................................................................................................................................. CT-12
OCCUPATIONAL DEATHS ........................................................................................................................ CT-13
OVERDOSE .............................................................................................................................................. CT-14
POISONING DEATHS ............................................................................................................................... CT-15
SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME ..................................................................................................... CT-16
SUICIDES ................................................................................................................................................. CT-17
TRAFFIC FATALITIES ................................................................................................................................ CT-18
UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS ........................................................................................................................ CT-19
APPENDIX I- CAUSES OF DEATH CLARIFICATION CHART ............................................................. APPENDIX 1
G-1 JURISDICTIONS
I. PURPOSE
This Standard Operating Procedure Coroner Manual is intended to provide all Deputy Coroners
with basic guidelines for the everyday performance of their duties.
Although every sworn Officer in this department is considered a Deputy -Sheriff- Coroner -Marshal,
for the purpose of simplicity the term “Deputy Coroner” is used throughout the text of this manual
to signify an officer working in that capacity.
II. GENERAL
The Deputy Coroner acts for the purpose of protecting the rights of and speaking for the deceased
and assisting the living. Proper investigation of a Coroner case is as important as any criminal
investigation, and may develop into one.
As with any investigation, there is no set of rules that must be followed. Each case has its own
facts and circumstances which makes it unique and should be handled as the situation warrants.
Common sense and procedures should guide the investigation.
III. JURISDICTION
There will be instances where the responsibilities of the Deputy Coroner are required in the
incorporated areas of the county.
Generally, the Deputy assigned will perform the obligations and functions of the Deputy Coroner
and only as a Deputy Coroner in the incorporated areas of the county.
IV. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
It is imperative that good working relationships are maintained between all Sheriff’s divisions, law
enforcement agencies, and other investigative agencies within the county.
To accomplish this, a free exchange of information is strongly encouraged.
V. JURISDICTION WITH OTHER COUNTIES:
There will be times when a Deputy Coroner will relinquish jurisdiction to an outside agency.
In the event the decedent has been brought into Placer County Hospital but was a victim from
another county :
1. That County will be notified of the death to determine if they would like jurisdiction.
2. A jurisdiction letter will be provided releasing the decedent to that County.
G-2 GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 27491
DEATHS REQUIRING CORONER’S INQUIRY
Government Code § 27491. It shall be