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WHAT TYPES OF DEATH ARE TO BE REPORTED TO THE CORONER? Accidental Deaths. Homicidal Deaths (By any means, suspected or known) Suicidal Deaths (By any means, suspected or known) Sudden Deaths. Occupational Deaths. Deaths while confined. Therapeutic deaths. Medical malpractice.

Autopsies are not always required prior to making a professional medicolegal determination as to the cause and manner of death. However, an autopsy may be performed if the Medical Examiner determines, in their sole discretion, that it is necessary in order to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

In these cases, after the exam is completed the doctor will arrange for microscopic, chemical, or toxicological tests in order to assist in determining the exact cause of death. It can take as long as 4 to 6 months to complete this testing, and determine the cause of death on a pending case.

Release of the Body The decedent's body will be available for release after completion of the examination. Your Funeral Director will coordinate the release on your behalf. Upon receipt of a signed authorization from the legal next-of-kin, the decedents body will be released to a mortuary/funeral home.

An autopsy usually takes 2-3 hours to perform and is often followed by laboratory tests. Do I have to pay for an autopsy? There is no charge to the family for an autopsy that is required by the State of California.

Homicides are held 24 hours after the autopsy before they are released. The next-of-kin are allowed 72 hours following notification of death to make arrangements to have their loved one picked-up to avoid storage charges.

A: The Coroner reviews the evidence, and makes a determination of cause and manner of death based on the preponderance of that evidence. The Coroner must have more than 50 percent certainty based on the evidence to make a determination of the cause and manner of death.

In some of the cases investigated and accepted, the medical examiner evaluates the medical history of the decedent and performs an external physical examination. The circumstances of the death and the external examination are used to determine the cause and manner of death.