In Alabama, the Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office plays a critical role in investigating deaths under specific circumstances to ensure public safety, uphold legal standards, and support accurate death certification. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 45-70-60 (Act 79-454, p. 739, §1-10), coroners must be notified when a death occurs under the following conditions:
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Suspected criminal violence or neglect
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Criminal abortion
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When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea
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Unclaimed bodies
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Bodies brought into Alabama without proper medical certification
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Deaths resulting from trauma, violence, or non-natural causes
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Unexpected deaths without sufficient medical history to explain the cause
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Deaths in prisons or penal institutions
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Deaths in police custody
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Diseases posing a public health hazard, upon written request by the County Health Officer
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Deaths originating outside the coroner’s jurisdiction, when authorized by the Chief Coroner/Medical Examiner to assist another jurisdiction due to a conflict of interest, upon official written request
Under Alabama Code § 11-5-35 (Act 2006-581, p. 1527, §6), the Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office may only certify a death if the incident or event leading to the death occurred within the coroner’s county of jurisdiction in Alabama. If the sequence of events began in another county or state, the coroner’s office in that jurisdiction must be notified.
Guidelines for Medical Facilities
Medical facilities are essential partners in ensuring compliance with coroner reporting requirements. The following guidelines outline best practices for handling known or suspected coroner’s cases:
Do:
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Report Promptly: Notify the Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office for all deaths falling under the coroner’s jurisdiction. Contact the appropriate county coroner’s office for guidance.
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Document Thoroughly: Record all treatments and procedures in the patient’s chart, clearly distinguishing between pre-treatment injuries (e.g., needle marks) and treatment-related marks or incisions.
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Preserve Evidence: Instruct the laboratory to retain all blood and urine specimens collected during treatment.
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Provide Records: Prepare a copy of the medical chart for the coroner’s office upon request.
Do Not:
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Initiate Death Certificates: Avoid starting a death certificate in the Alabama Electronic Death Registration System (AL-E.D.R.S.) or on paper, as this will be handled by the coroner’s office.
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Authorize Autopsies: Do not seek permission from the next-of-kin for an autopsy until the case is cleared with the coroner’s office.
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Approve Organ Transplantation: Refrain from approving organ transplantation in cases with potential medicolegal implications until consulting the coroner’s office.
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Remove Medical Devices: Leave all medical devices (e.g., bandages, nasogastric or endotracheal tubes, catheters) in place after death.
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Dispose of Body Fluids: Retain all body fluids for coroner review.
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Close Wounds: Avoid closing wounds after death.
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Remove Chest Tubes in Gunshot Cases: Clamp the end of chest tubes to preserve potential evidence, such as bullets.
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Clean Remains: Do not wash or clean the body after death.
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Dispose of Clothing: Retain all clothing brought with the decedent and transfer it to the coroner or police, avoiding cutting through stab or bullet holes.
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Remove Linens: Wrap the body in any dirty linens present rather than discarding them.
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Dispose of Samples: Hold blood and urine samples taken at admission for the coroner.
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Assume Child Abuse/Neglect: Allow the coroner/medical examiner to investigate suspected child abuse or neglect cases before drawing conclusions.
Contact Information
For questions or clarification regarding these guidelines, please contact the Alabama Coroner’s Association at
By adhering to these protocols, medical facilities and coroners can work collaboratively to uphold the integrity of death investigations, protect public health, and serve Alabama’s communities with professionalism and care.