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1. What is the duty of the Coroner as mandated by Wyoming State statute?

The duty of the Campbell County coroner is to determine the manner and cause of death, as well as a positive ID of the decedent.

2. What are the responsibilities of the coroner?

•Certifying death certificates and cremation authorizations

•Evidence collecting

•Fingerprinting

•Forensic photo documentation

•Meeting with immediate family

•Notification of death to legal next of kin

•On-scene investigation

•Presiding at autopsies

•Taking and gathering reports

•Toxicology tests

•Transportation of victims assuring chain of evidence security

•X-rays

The coroner also collaborates with:•Fire and rescue departments

•Funeral directors

•Law enforcement agencies

•Entomologists

•Oncologists

•Toxicologists

•Medical agencies

3. What types of cases does the coroner handle?

The coroner is responsible for investigating and determining cause of death for any person found or lying within the coroner's county, whose death is suspected as being caused by:•Anesthetic accident (O.R.)

•Anything work-related

•Asphyxia, Drowning

•Blunt trauma (blows)

•Burns

•Carbon monoxide poisoning

•Cutting or stabbing

•Drug overdose, poison ingestion

•Electric shock

•Falls

•Firearm

•Fractures of bones

•Hanging

•Suffocation

•Strangulation

•Vehicular collisions

•Weather-related (exposure)

The coroner is also responsible for investigating the following:•A maternal or fetal death due to abortion, sex crime, or a crime against nature

•A suspicious, obscure, or mysterious death

•A death where addiction to alcohol or drugs may have been a contributing cause

•A natural death where the decedent was not attended by a licensed physician

•Deaths occurring in any jail or other correctional institution

•Sudden or violent death, whether apparently suicide, homicide, or accidental

4. Who reports the death to the coroner?

Deaths are reported to the coroner by every law enforcement official, funeral director, ambulance attendant, hospital director, administrator, or person having custody of the body. Any physician in attendance upon such a decedent at the time of his/her death, shall also notify the coroner promptly.

5. Will an autopsy be performed?

Autopsies are not always needed if the manner and cause of death can be determined by the coroner with evidence through investigations. A coroner investigator and law enforcement gather the information concerning the circumstances of a death, including medical and social history.

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6. What is an autopsy and where are they performed?

An autopsy is a surgical procedure performed by a licensed forensic pathologist (internal and external examination of the body) used to aid the coroner in establishing a cause of death in those cases where the cause cannot be established with a reasonable degree of certainty.

An autopsy is performed by a licensed forensic pathologist. Autopsies are performed here at the Campbell County Morgue.

7. How do I obtain a copy of the autopsy report?

The final autopsy report is generally available 6-8 weeks from the date of death. The next of kin can obtain a copy of the final report. Request is by completion and submission of the appropriate signed form, with a photocopy of the requesting party’s identification.

8. Where was the deceased taken?

The deceased was transported to the Campbell County morgue.

9. How do I obtain personal property?

Personal property that was transported with the deceased to the morgue is inventoried and secured in the Campbell County Coroner’s Office. Next-of-kin will be notified by the Coroner or Deputy Coroner when personal property is available to be picked up. Once notified, the next-of-kin, or his/her designee, can retrieve the property. The individual retrieving the property should bring his/her personal identification.

10. Who signs the death certificate and where do I obtain one?

Every coroner, as soon as they have completed their investigation of the cause and circumstances to a death occurring within their jurisdiction, shall complete the medical portion of the death certificate.

The Coroner’s Office never issues the death certificate. A death certificate can be obtained by contacting your funeral home of by requesting one from Wyoming Vital Records.