Coroner

The Coroner Division carries out the statutory duties of the Coroner by conducting medicolegal death investigations on all sudden or unexplained deaths occurring within the County of Orange. The types of deaths falling within the Coroner's jurisdiction include all homicides, suicides, accidents, or unexplained deaths. These investigations are used to determine the medical cause and manner of death. It does not encompass criminal or civil culpability. Interestingly, of the more than 8,000 deaths investigated annually by the Coroner Division, only approximately 25% require an autopsy as part of the complete investigation. Although the primary function of the Coroner is death investigation, the Orange County Coroner's Office is proactive in a variety of community impact programs. These programs involve drug and alcohol awareness for youths, child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence prevention, sudden infant death syndrome, and identification of dangerous consumer products that cause fatalities. The Coroner's medical student internship, education programs and cooperative professional relationships with non-profit organ/tissue procurement agencies and medical science researchers are also important contributions to the community.

For more information on legally mandated duties and legal authority refer to California Government Code Section 27491 and Health & Safety Code Section 102850.