ABOUT THE CORONER’S OFFICE
The Blair County Coroner is an elected official responsible for investigating sudden, unexplained, or suspicious deaths. By statute, the coroner may appoint deputies to act in their place, in which a deputy has the same authority as the elected coroner. Their role is crucial in uncovering the details surrounding a person’s demise and ensuring that the cause of death is determined accurately. Additionally, coroners are responsible for identifying individuals who have passed away when their identity is not immediately known, which can be vital for families and authorities.
Historically, in medieval England, the position of coroner was established to counterbalance the power of local law enforcement officials, like sheriffs. These early coroners were appointed by the Crown and possessed specific financial responsibilities and investigative duties, reinforcing the monarchy's authority over local matters. The term “coroner” has roots that connect it to the word “crown,” highlighting its historical ties to royal power and the legal system.
Currently, the responsibilities of a coroner can vary significantly, depending on the jurisdiction in which they serve. In Pennsylvania, for instance, 64 counties operate under a coroner system that allows for local oversight and investigation of deaths, while 3 counties are managed by an appointed medical examiner, who often has specialized training in forensic pathology. The coroner's office utilizes a comprehensive range of investigative techniques to ascertain each death's circumstances. These techniques include collecting medical records, which can provide information about the decedent's health history. Autopsies are performed in circumstances to uncover any potential underlying causes of death, and evidence is gathered to support further investigation. Additionally, the coroner's office collects bodily fluid(s) and tissue samples for toxicology testing to determine the presence of drugs, alcohol, or other substances that may have contributed to the death. Microscopic analysis of these samples during autopsy can reveal vital information supporting the investigation. A key aspect of the coroner's duties involves the identification of deceased individuals. This process can vary in complexity; it may be as straightforward as matching physical characteristics with those listed on a driver's license or other identification documents. In more intricate cases, however, the coroner may rely on advanced methods such as fingerprint analysis, dental records, body X-rays, or DNA testing to achieve accurate identification.
The coroner's office is responsible for notifying the next of kin of a decedent. Additionally, it is responsible for the securement and safekeeping of the decedent's personal property or effects that were on the decedent at the time of death. In cases where a funeral home is not identified, or other circumstances necessitate, the office oversees the removal, transportation, and storage of the deceased. The coroner's office is dedicated to fostering collaboration with various medical and investigative agencies to ensure that comprehensive information is obtained. This commitment is essential in providing closure to the grieving families of the deceased.
Below are circumstances in which the coroner’s office has jurisdiction:
1. A sudden death not caused by a readily recognizable disease or, if the cause of death cannot be appropriately certified by a physician based on prior recent medical attendance.
2. A death occurring under suspicious circumstances, including if alcohol, a drug, or another toxic substance may have had a direct bearing on the outcome.
3. A death occurring as a result of violence or trauma, whether apparently homicidal, suicidal, or accidental, including, but not limited to, death due to mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiational injury, drowning, cave-in, or subsidence.
4. A death in which trauma, chemical injury, drug overdose, or reaction to a drug or medication or medical treatment was a primary or secondary, direct or indirect, contributory, aggravating, or precipitating cause of death.
5. A perioperative death in which the death is not readily explainable based on prior disease.
6. A death in which the body is unidentified or unclaimed.
7. A death known or suspected to be due to a contagious disease and constituting a public hazard.
8. A death occurring in prison or a penal institution or while in the custody of the police.
9. A death of an individual whose body is to be cremated, buried at sea, or otherwise disposed of so as to be unavailable for examination thereafter.
10. A sudden and unexplained infant death.
11. A stillbirth.