Death Investigations
The coroner's office conducts death investigations into certain areas, among them are homicides, accidents, and others of unusual nature. What appears to be a natural death may be criminal, an apparent suicide may actually be an accidental death, and a natural death may reveal serious implications for survivors. Because of criminal and public health implications, your coroner must treat every death carefully. Upon first learning that a person in the county has died from violence, casualty, unusual circumstances, suspicious activity, or while in apparently good health, the coroner will notify a local law enforcement agency. Together, they investigate the scene. Often, the coroner must restrict access to the death scene in order to properly carry out the investigation. Indiana's county coroners do not need the family's permission to conduct an investigation but do hasten to complete their investigations so that the family may grieve in peace.
Obligation Information Includes
- Name
- Age
- Race
- Address of the deceased
- Address of where the body was found
- Name of the agency to which the death was reported to
- Name of the person who is reporting the death
- Name of the public official or the government employee present at the death scene
- Name of the person certifying the death
Limited Information Regarding an Autopsy
- Date
- A person who performed the autopsy
- Where the autopsy was performed
- Conclusion as to the probable cause
- Probable manner
- Probable mechanism
- Location to which the body was removed
- Records are required under IC 36-2-14-5 and IC 36-2-14-10.