Idaho Code requires the Coroner, who is an elected County official, to be notified immediately when a body is found or a person is known to be dead. The Coroner is responsible to investigate the facts surrounding the cause and manner of death.

A certificate of each death that occurs in the State of Idaho must be filed with the Local Registrar of the District (appointed by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics) within five (5) days after the occurrence of death. The person in charge of interment or removal of a body from the County must refer the following cases to the Coroner for investigation:

• If no physician was in attendance during the last illness of the deceased;
• When the circumstances suggest that the death occurred as a result of other than natural causes;
• When a death is presumed to have occurred within the State but the body cannot be located;
• In the case of a stillbirth of a fetus of twenty (20) weeks or more.

The Coroner also has the authority to summon a person licensed to practice medicine in the State of Idaho to inspect the body to help determine the cause of death and, if needed, to order an autopsy. The Coroner will arrange for transportation of the body by a licensed funeral home. The Coroner will prepare an official “Coroner’s Investigative Report.”

The Coroner shall determine the cause and manner of death of any person reported as having died under suspicious or unknown circumstances. The Coroner shall go the location and investigate the death of any person reported to him or her as having died in any unknown or suspicious manner or where public health, safety and welfare may be involved. Or from any accident—auto, in the home, or otherwise—regardless of location in the County.

The Coroner will remain with the body until the body is released to the mortuary. The Coroner is also responsible for securing the home and personal property until it is released to the family or law enforcement officers, depending upon the circumstances. A police officer will remain at the scene until released by the Coroner.

After a complete investigation, the Coroner shall determine the manner and cause of death and is charged with notification of family members of a death occurring in or out of the County.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• How Do I Obtain a Death Certificate?

• Who Calls the Coroner?

• How is Information Obtained?

• Who Performs the Autopsy?

• If There is an Inquest, Does the Family Have to Attend?

• Why is a Coroner Called when Death is Due to Natural Causes?

• Is an Autopsy Required in Every Case?

• Why do Police Investigate?

• Is Consent Required for a Medical-Legal Autopsy?

• Will an Autopsy Delay Funeral Arrangements?

• What Organs Can be Donated After Death?

• Will There be an Inquest?

• Who are the Coroners?

Answers:

How Do I Obtain a Death Certificate?

Death Certificates are usually obtained from the Funeral home handling the funeral service.  There is a fee for each copy obtained.

Who Calls the Coroners?

Any person who has reason to believe that a death has occurred under the circumstances set out in the Idaho Code must immediately notify a Coroner.

How is Information Obtained?

Information pertaining to the death may be obtained from the Coroner as it becomes available.  When the investigation is complete, the Coroner may provide, on request, to the immediate family (spouse, parent, child, brother, sister) or personal representative, a copy of the Coroner's investigation statement.  This statement includes information as to date and place, cause and manner of death and relevant postmortem findings.

Who Performs the Autopsy?

The Coroner directs a qualified specialist in Pathology to conduct the examination and may request special examination of particular organs or fluids by other experts.

If There is an Inquest, Does the Family Have to Attend?

No, unless a member of the family is called as a witness.

Why is a Coroner Called When Death is Due to Natural Causes?

A Coroner must not only investigate all unnatural deaths such as those due to foul play, suicide and accident.  He must also investigate certain natural deaths such as sudden and unexpected, from illness not under treatment or attended by a qualified physician; those occurring in certain types of institutions, and whenever questions can only be answered fairly after an investigation.

Is an Autopsy Required in Every Case?

No.  The  Coroner's training and experience enables him to decide if the findings required by law can be determined without an Autopsy (postmortem examination).  About thirty percent of all coroner cases investigated with reports filed, require medical -legal Autopsies.

Why do Police investigate?

Police respond to all emergency calls and often are the first at the scene.  Police collect information and supply other services that are needed.  Their experience and training enable the Coroner to carry out as complete an investigation as possible.

Is Consent Required for a Medical-Legal Autopsy?

No.  Where there are objections, the Coroner will explain the need for the Autopsy.  The findings of the examination may have important implications for estate and insurance purposes.  The Autopsy will often help to answer questions regarding hereditary aspects of disease, as well as prevent anxiety from not knowing what actually caused the death.

Will an Autopsy Delay Funeral Arrangements?

In most cases the answer is no.  However, some aspects of the investigation, identification for example, may cause delay.  Your Funeral Director will advise you as to timing of viewing arrangements, etc.

What Organs Can be Donated After Death?

Organs or tissues in greatest demand are eyes, kidneys, liver, joints and bones, vascular tissue, heart and heart valves and skin.  Consent for removal for donation is required for all organs or tissue.  The Idaho Driver's license contains a check box for organ donation.  Next of kin may give consent for donation.  Consent must be made immediately because time is important for retrieving tissue.

Will there be an Inquest?

Inquests are held on all personas that have been involved with a Law Enforcement Officer at the time of death.  Otherwise, an Inquest is held at the Coroner's discretion.  Inquests may be held when the identity of the deceased, the date, place or cause of death ahs not been established or when it is not known by what means the death took place.  The Coroner may hold an Inquest when certain circumstances relating to the death need to be brought to the attention of the public.

Who are the Coroners?

Each County in Idaho has a Coroner who is elected.  The Coroner is to investigate deaths which may occur under certain circumstances as defined in the Idaho Code.  In order to determine in each case the manner and cause of death and, if necessary, hold an Inquest and determine the facts as to how, when, where and by what means the deceased came to his or her death.

Note:  This information is for general information only and must not be interpreted as a legal description of a Coroner's duties.  Reference should be made to the Idaho Code for complete information.