Statutory power of the coroner

“May you live in interesting times” ancient Chinese blessing/curse

A number of “interesting” things going on in the office, but I can’t write about most of it.

If you don’t mind I need to organize a few things (statute stuff) in my head for an upcoming meeting, so I am going to lay some of them out here to familiarize myself with them (you may be interested as well).

“Each coroner shall be conservator of the peace in his county, and, in the performance of his duties as such, shall have the same powers as the sheriff.” (interesting “power”)

“No dead body…or the personal property of such a deceased person, shall be handled, moved, disturbed, embalmed, or removed from the place of death by any person, except with the permission of the coroner unless the same shall be necessary to protect such body or property from damage or destruction, or unless necessary to protect life, safety or health. Any person knowingly violating the provisions of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.” (pretty straight forward)

“Every law enforcement official, funeral director or administrator or person having custody of the body of a deceased person, where the death is one subject to investigation under Section 3-3013…shall notify the coroner promptly. Any such person, failing to notify the coroner promptly shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor…”

“Circumstances under which (an) autopsy (is) to be performed (a) Where a death has occurred and the circumstances concerning the death are suspicious, obscure, mysterious, or otherwise unexplained and in the opinion of the examining physician or the coroner the cause of death cannot be established definitely except by autopsy…”

This stuff may not make much sense to you, the reader, out of context, but it lays out the authority of my Office in cases of death and does not allow latitude for others to rule or over-rule the Coroner. I do want to work cooperatively with others, but they need to understand my position of authority in these matters and should not make demands. They need to ask for and work towards cooperation. I look forward to developments.