(1200) Coroner Division
Division Mission/Vision
To serve and protect the interests of the community by determining the cause, circumstances, and manner of sudden or unexplained deaths, and by identifying deceased persons and notifying their next of kin while ensuring the deceased and their property are treated with the utmost respect and dignity.
Division Overview
The Coroner Division is an investigative unit responsible for the statutory duties of the Coroner. Those duties include an investigation into the circumstances of all deaths falling within the Coroner’s jurisdiction to determine the identity of the deceased, the cause of death, the manner of death, and the date and time of death. Investigations are conducted countywide on all homicides, suicides, accidents, and suspicious and unexplained deaths. Other duties include notifying the next of kin, safeguarding personal property, collecting evidence, and completing mandatory records and documents.
Strategic Plan Focus Areas
- Operational Development and Excellence
- Healthy and Safe Communities
Recommended Budget
Recent Departmental Accomplishments
- Continue to maintain and build a strong partnership with the Santa Clara Co. Medical Examiner’s Office
- Continuous contact with the Donor Network
- Continue working with decedent’s doctors to determine cause of death to mitigate the need for an autopsy
Top Departmental Concerns
- the rising costs of autopsy services
- delay in receiving invoices for autopsy services making budget control difficult
- several year delay in installing light in walk-in morgue cooler
Long Range Planning Goals (3-5 years) For Department
- Continue relationship with Santa Clara County Medical Examiner
- Train patrol staff in its entirety in coroner investigations