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The Sheriff, as Coroner, is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death of those persons not in attendance of a physician.  The Coroner has the authority to determine the extent of inquiry (investigation) into reportable deaths. Coroner investigations do not necessarily result in an autopsy. The Chief Deputy Coroner decides whether or not an autopsy is necessary.

The following categories of death are immediately reportable to the Coroner's Office and are listed under 27491 of the California Government Code:

   1. All deaths from known or suspected homicide.
   2. All deaths resulting from known or suspected accident,
       old or recent.
   3. All deaths involving known or suspected criminal
       action.
   4. All deaths from poisoning, or related to substance
       abuse.
   5. All deaths while in jail or police custody.
   6. All deaths at State mental hospitals.
   7. All deaths related to occupational diseases or
       hazards.
   8. All deaths wherein the decedent has not been
       attended by a physician within the 20 days preceding
       death.
   9. Any death in which a physician is unable to reasonably
       state the cause of death.
 10. All deaths involving suspected contagious diseases
       constituting a public hazard.
 11. All deaths of unidentified persons.
 12. All deaths suspected to be from Sudden Infant Death
       Syndrome (SIDS).

Click here to view the Coroner’s Statistics in a new window.