Coroner (Washington state)

In Washington state, the role of the coroner is to investigate deaths that occur under suspicious, unusual, or unattended circumstances. Unlike some jurisdictions, Washington counties may operate under a coroner system, a medical examiner system, or a combined coroner/medical examiner system. The choice is determined at the county level.

Key Responsibilities:

• Death Investigation: The coroner's primary duty is to investigate deaths within their jurisdiction that fall under specific categories. These often include deaths occurring suddenly when in apparent good health, deaths resulting from violence (accidental, suicidal, or homicidal), deaths occurring in custody, deaths where no physician is available to sign the death certificate, and deaths that are suspicious or unusual.
• Death Scene Investigation: Coroners may personally respond to death scenes, or delegate the responsibility to qualified investigators or law enforcement officers. They are responsible for gathering information about the circumstances surrounding the death.
• Identification of the Deceased: Identifying the deceased is a crucial function. This may involve visual identification, fingerprints, dental records, DNA analysis, or other scientific methods.
• Cause and Manner of Death Determination: The coroner is responsible for determining the cause of death (the medical reason for death, such as gunshot wound or heart attack) and the manner of death (the circumstances surrounding the death, classified as natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined). In some counties, a medical examiner performs this task. The coroner reviews the findings of any autopsy or toxicology reports conducted.
• Autopsies: Coroners have the authority to order autopsies when deemed necessary to determine the cause and manner of death. The autopsy is typically performed by a forensic pathologist.
• Death Certificates: The coroner or medical examiner is responsible for completing and signing the death certificate in cases where they have jurisdiction.
• Notification of Next of Kin: The coroner's office is responsible for notifying the deceased's next of kin.
• Public Health: The coroner's office can play a role in identifying and addressing public health concerns, such as disease outbreaks or emerging health risks.
• Inquests: In certain cases, a coroner may convene a coroner's inquest. An inquest is a formal inquiry, similar to a trial, conducted before a jury to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding a death. Inquests are typically used in cases where the cause of death is unclear or controversial.

Coroner vs. Medical Examiner:

The primary distinction between a coroner and a medical examiner lies in their qualifications.

• Coroner: Coroners are often elected officials and are not required to be physicians or have medical training in Washington State. Their background may be in law enforcement, mortuary science, or other related fields.
• Medical Examiner: Medical Examiners are qualified physicians, typically with specialized training in forensic pathology. Forensic pathologists are experts in determining the cause and manner of death through the examination of bodies and performance of autopsies.

Some Washington counties have combined Coroner/Medical Examiner systems where a physician serves as the coroner.

Legal Authority:

The powers and duties of coroners in Washington State are defined by state law, primarily within Title 68 RCW (Revised Code of Washington). County charters and ordinances can also influence the specific operations of the coroner's office within a particular county.