The California Government code section 27491 states the primary duties of the Coroner’s Office is to investigate the following deaths:
- Violent, sudden or unusual deaths
- Unattended deaths
- Physician or hospice RN has not seen the decedent In 20 days
- Known / suspected homicide or other criminal means
- Known / suspected suicide
- Known / suspected accident or injury
- Known / suspected accidental poisoning
- Known / suspected contagious disease constituting a public hazard
- Aspiration on something other than natural secretions
- Drowning
- Fire
- Hanging / strangulation
- Stabbing / cutting
- Occupational disease of hazard
- Exposure
- Starvation
- Acute alcoholism
- Drug addiction
- Communicable disease
- Suspected sudden unidentified in death syndrome