The LaGrange County Coroner's Office completes about 45 death investigations a year using nationally recognized standards. The investigation types are explained below.

• Autopsy: Autopsy performed by a forensic pathologist
• External: Body taken into custody, only external examination performed
• SOS: Body released at scene to next of kin
• Consults: The office is notified of death, but case is declined due to not fitting coroner's investigation criteria

The manner of death can be natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined.

The death investigation process

Death scene investigation by the deputy coroner

During the death scene investigation, the coroner gathers scene information and arranges for the removal of the body. The family should contact the funeral home at their earliest convenience. The funeral home begins the death certificate process.

Post-mortem examination

A certified forensic pathologist does the post-mortem physical exam. The forensic pathologist also does an autopsy, if needed. Body fluids/tissues may be sent for lab analysis such as toxicology and histology. The body is made available for pickup by the funeral home after the exam. Then the forensic pathologist will complete a comprehensive pathology report identifying the cause and manner of death.

Death certification

The coroner's office reviews the results of the exam. The coroner’s office certifies the cause and manner of death in the death certificate. The family can get the death certificate from the LaGrange County Health Department once it is issued by the coroner’s office. Cause and manner of death confirmation could take up to twelve weeks if a case is pending toxicology or microscopic examination.

Cases investigated by the coroner’s office

The coroner’s office is contacted in the following situations. The coroner will then determine whether to investigate.

• Sudden death of a healthy child
• Physician unable to state a cause of death, after careful review of medical chart, or the deceased does not have a physician
• Known or suspected homicide
• Known or suspected suicide
• Following an accident or injury primary or contributory
• Drowning, fire, exposure, strangulation, aspiration
• Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents)
• Occupational hazards
• Incarceration
• All deaths of unidentified persons

Autopsies

Autopsies are performed mainly to determine the medical cause of death. The coroner typically will not perform an autopsy if the manner of death is “natural” and the cause of death can be determined by past medical history or an external exam.

Funeral arrangements

Contact a funeral director to arrange a funeral for your loved one. A funeral director will coordinate further arrangements with the Forensic Pathology Department and help you prepare for the funeral. You may visit a loved one only at the funeral home, not at the Forensic Pathology Department because of legal and health reasons.