Coroner Program Description
It is the duty of the Coroner to assume Jurisdiction over all bodies of deceased persons who come to their death suddenly and without medical attendance. This applies to circumstances that indicate death was caused by unlawful or unnatural means or where death occurs under suspicious circumstances. It also applies to cases where a Coroner's autopsy or inquest is to be held; or where death is by violence. The jurisdiction of the Coroner also extends to the body of a deceased who, although not physically seen by a physician within 36 hours proceeding death, was generally under a physician's care for a number of years prior to death.
The major objective is to provide quality death investigation through cooperation with police agencies, the medical community, prosecuting attorneys and the funeral home industry.
In Yakima County, the Coroner and the Chief Deputy Coroner make the body removals. Therefore, the Yakima County Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner must be able to lift over 250 lbs., often in challenging terrain: up or down steep mountains, up steep river banks, out of pits or trenches, up or down stairs, out of basements, etc.
Other jurisdictional deaths include: when a person is admitted to a hospital and death occurs within the 36 hour period, where a death results from unknown or obscure causes, where death occurs within one year following an accident.where death is due to a violent contagious disease which may be a public heath hazard, a death occurs in jail or prison, when a decedent is unclaimed by relatives and/or is indigent, where death apparently results from: drowning, hanging, electrocution, gunshot wounds, stabs or cuts, lightening, exposure, alcoholism, narcotics, strangulation, suffocation, starvation or abuse.
The Yakima County Coroner must locate and attend all suspicious death scenes, coordinate with other relevant personnel at the scene; observe and secure death scenes, identify, photograph and preserve evidence, collect and preserve personal property of the deceased, deal with survivors or family members on scene and finally, examine and remove the deceased. The Coroner is present at all autopsies and most often assists the pathologist. A pathologist must perform the autopsy. The Coroner photographs, collects, processes and protects physical evidence, collects fluids for toxicology testing, and collects evidence to help with identification. The Coroner must have knowledge of legal procedures, policies and enforcement, write extensive, concise reports and conclusions and testify in court as an expert witness. The Coroner must work cooperatively with city, county, state and federal agencies. Additionally, the Coroner is charged with identifying remains and must be familiar with using missing persons data bases and other means used to identify remains.
The Coroner must know the intricate laws regarding the disposition of human remains in order to accurately and sensitively inform grieving family members of their options. The Coroner must also possess the people skills necessary to establish excellent working relationships with all the people surrounding the death and disposition process.
The Coroner is also responsible for equipping and maintaining the morgue, which includes developing budgets and other administrative duties. During my tenure as Coroner, I closed the old morgue that was housed in an old restaurant kitchen, helped design and opened the new state-of-the-art facility at its present location, making sure it met all state safety codes.
The major objective is to provide quality death investigation through cooperation with police agencies, the medical community, prosecuting attorneys and the funeral home industry.
In Yakima County, the Coroner and the Chief Deputy Coroner make the body removals. Therefore, the Yakima County Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner must be able to lift over 250 lbs., often in challenging terrain: up or down steep mountains, up steep river banks, out of pits or trenches, up or down stairs, out of basements, etc.
Other jurisdictional deaths include: when a person is admitted to a hospital and death occurs within the 36 hour period, where a death results from unknown or obscure causes, where death occurs within one year following an accident.where death is due to a violent contagious disease which may be a public heath hazard, a death occurs in jail or prison, when a decedent is unclaimed by relatives and/or is indigent, where death apparently results from: drowning, hanging, electrocution, gunshot wounds, stabs or cuts, lightening, exposure, alcoholism, narcotics, strangulation, suffocation, starvation or abuse.
The Yakima County Coroner must locate and attend all suspicious death scenes, coordinate with other relevant personnel at the scene; observe and secure death scenes, identify, photograph and preserve evidence, collect and preserve personal property of the deceased, deal with survivors or family members on scene and finally, examine and remove the deceased. The Coroner is present at all autopsies and most often assists the pathologist. A pathologist must perform the autopsy. The Coroner photographs, collects, processes and protects physical evidence, collects fluids for toxicology testing, and collects evidence to help with identification. The Coroner must have knowledge of legal procedures, policies and enforcement, write extensive, concise reports and conclusions and testify in court as an expert witness. The Coroner must work cooperatively with city, county, state and federal agencies. Additionally, the Coroner is charged with identifying remains and must be familiar with using missing persons data bases and other means used to identify remains.
The Coroner must know the intricate laws regarding the disposition of human remains in order to accurately and sensitively inform grieving family members of their options. The Coroner must also possess the people skills necessary to establish excellent working relationships with all the people surrounding the death and disposition process.
The Coroner is also responsible for equipping and maintaining the morgue, which includes developing budgets and other administrative duties. During my tenure as Coroner, I closed the old morgue that was housed in an old restaurant kitchen, helped design and opened the new state-of-the-art facility at its present location, making sure it met all state safety codes.