What are the types of deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office?
  • A sudden death not caused by a readily recognizable disease or, if the cause of death cannot be properly certified, by a physician on the basis of prior recent medical attendance.
  • A death occurring under suspicious circumstances, including if alcohol, a drug or another toxic substance may have had a direct bearing on the outcome.
  • A death occurring as a result of violence or trauma, whether apparently homicidal, suicidal or accidental, including, but not limited to, a death due to mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical or radiational injury, drowning, cave-in or subsidence.
  • A death in which trauma, chemical injury, drug overdose or reaction to a drug or medication or medical treatment was a primary or secondary, direct or indirect, contributory, aggravating or precipitating cause of death.
  • A perioperative death in which the death is not readily explainable on the basis of prior disease.
  • A death in which the body is unidentified or unclaimed.
  • A death known or suspected to be due to contagious disease and constituting a public hazard.
  • A death occurring in prison or a penal institution or while in the custody of the police.
  • A death of an individual whose body is to be cremated, buried at sea or otherwise disposed of so as to be unavailable for examination thereafter.
  • A sudden and unexplained infant death.
  • A stillbirth.

Also, refer to the Pennsylvania Coroner Statutes which provides a full list of deaths investigated as well as other responsibilities and definitions in reference to the Coroner’s Office.

Show All Answers

1. What does the Coroner's Office do?
2. What are the types of deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office?
3. Where is the jurisdiction of the Chester County Coroner?
4. How do I report a death?
5. How do I obtain a death certificate?
6. Can I see my loved one at the morgue?
7. What is an autopsy and why is one performed?
8. How do I obtain the results of an autopsy or toxicology findings?
9. Who is considered the next of kin?
10. When will I know the cause of death?
11. What does a "pending" case mean?
12. How and when can personal property/possessions be claimed?
13. When will the body be released?
14. What do I do now?
15. What funeral home should I choose?