Office of the Coroner Northampton County Govt. Center 669 Washington Street Easton, PA 18042 It is the duty of the Northampton County Coroner's Office to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner and cause of all violent, sudden, unusual or unattended deaths that occur in Northampton County. The office is primarily administrative which directs investigations in the above cases which fall under its jurisdiction. When required, medical personnel are directed to establish medical facts pertaining to each case, and when deemed necessary, other scientific personnel are required to provide information in questionable cases. In these cases which come under the authority of the Coroner's office, an investigation is conducted to gather information to complete written reports containing concise statements and medical and scientific facts that aid in the determination of the cause and manner of death, which will be recorded on the death certificate. Coroner's Office Duties 1. Preparation and response to the scene of death. 2. Conducts interviews and obtains information. Obtains information from all concerned persons regarding the circumstances of death, such as what happened, when it happened, where it happened and how it happened, etc. Elicits and documents any pertinent past medical history, present medical history, hospitalizations, doctors, treatment, prior suicide attempts, drugs, etc. Obtains all necessary information by interviewing persons present to aid in the establishment of the identity of the decedent, the cause, circumstances and manner of death, and records the names and addresses of any witnesses present. Insures accurate information is received and documented regarding the next-of-kin, their relation, if notified, when and by whom, who will attempt notification or if follow-up is needed. 3. Observes environment and examines the decedents' body. Observes and notes the environmental conditions surrounding the body and the relationship of evidence and/or other articles or objects to the body. Observes and notes position of the body, its location and the body condition, such as if viewable or not viewable because of decomposition, charring, etc. Records the position of the body, its location and related evidence when the body was moved or sent to a hospital prior to the Coroner's arrival. Makes preliminary examination of the body with particular reference to identification and external evidence of trauma. Conducts a complete examination with reference to factors which would help in the determination of the time of death, such as body heat, rigidity, lividity, decomposition, climate of the immediate environment, etc. Insures preliminary examination information is accurately obtained at the scene, stating the amount of rigor, lividity, and all other necessary information required. 4. Collecting and/or recording evidence. Observes and notes all physical evidence at the location, recording what was taken from here, how much and by whom. Insures that any medications or drugs which may have caused the death, along with any suicide notes, exemplar and/or wills and death instructions, be taken for further investigation by the Coroner's office. 5. Safeguarding of personal effects. Searches surrounding area, if necessary, to obtain information regarding next-of-kin and their whereabouts, looks for medication, doctor's names, hospital records, medical history, wills or burial instructions needed to establish the requested disposition of the decedent's body. Releases the personal effects recovered from the search of the body to only the next-of-kin, if present. Inventories all personal effects recovered from the body at the residence if the next-of-kin is not present Records the disposition of minor children, the person or agency who will be responsible, their addresses and phone numbers. 6. Removal and care of the decedent's body from the location. Physically remove or supervise proper removal of the body from the scene of death using the proper equipment and supplies. Make proper arrangements to insure that the body is transported to the morgue or funeral home by reliable personnel. Secures the residence of the decedent when the legal next-of-kin are not present. 7. Completion of all necessary reports, forms or certificates. Writes a clear, concise report, organizing the facts in a chronological order and completes other forms as needed to finalize the case. Issues a death certificate when the pronouncing of death falls under the Coroner's jurisdiction.