Families

Why are we here?

In Indiana, the Coroner is legally required to investigate deaths that occur in certain situations. Our job is to investigate the circumstances and determine if a death investigation is legally required.

If a Coroners investigation is required, our team will investigate and determine the manner (why) and mechanism (how) of the death.

Our investigative team consists of certified medical & legal death investigators with a wide range of professional backgrounds. Our team has medical professionals, law enforcement officers, crime scene investigators, & specialty investigators on staff. Depending on the circumstances, our on scene team may expand to bring these specialist into the investigation.  Our team is available 24/7 , 365 days a year to serve our community.

In each investigation we work to meet our legal requirements as well as to serve the family in their time of need.

What happens next

Our team, along with our law enforcement partners conduct parallel but separate investigations.  At the scene we will conduct our investigation which includes interviews, scene documentation, and in some cases– collection of evidence related to the death. If we determine that further investigation is required, your loved one will be transported to our facility.

In order to determine the manner and mechanism of death, we utilize multiple approaches depending on the situation.  This can include holding the remains in our care to allow us to speak with their physicians and/or conduct a medical records review. Sometimes,  we will need to conduct laboratory testing. Often times, we will conduct an autopsy. This is done by a medical doctor, who specializes in forensic pathology.  Your investigator will speak to you and keep you informed.

We will work to have all autopsies conducted within 72 hours. In most circumstances , the remains will be released from our custody at the completion of the autopsy.

Our investigation is completed when we have made the factual determination of manner and mechanism of the death. This requires us to conduct our investigation and to receive  the reports from the pathologist and laboratory. This can take 4-6 weeks.  We will sign the death certificate and ‘certify’ the death at this point. We will speak with you directly with the findings of our investigation.

Your next steps

First and foremost, you’ve just experienced a very difficult loss. It’s ok to take time to begin to process what has occurred.

In the next day or two, you need decide on the funeral home or cremation service that you would like to use.  You may utilize anyone you choose. Our team has a list of local companies that can assist you if you would like it.

When you’ve decided, call them. They will normally obtain some information and set up a time to meet with you.  At that meeting, tell them your loved one is in our care. They will make contact with us and we will get your loved one to them as soon as we possibly can.

Loss impacts us all differently. Please, take care of yourself and those around you. Boone County has many resources available to help you. Our team would be glad to help you find what you need.

As you have time, you’re likely going to think of things that were lost in the moment. If you think of something that may help us in our investigation, please contact the investigator and let them know.

Please, reach out if you have questions or if there is anything we can do to be of assistance.

Respectfully,

Justin Sparks,

Boone County Coroner