Susquehanna Coroner's Office

Office of the Coroner
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

SELECTED

STATUTES RELATING

TO THE

OFFICE OF THE CORONER

Section 13. Coroner's Investigations

(a)

The Coroner having a view of the body shall investigate the facts and circumstances concerning deaths which appear to have

happened within the county,

regardless where the cause thereof may have occurred, for the purpose of determining whether or not an

autopsy should be conducted or an inquest thereof

should be had, in the following cases:

1. sudden deaths not caused by readily recognizable disease, or wherein the cause of death cannot be properly certified by a physician

on the basis of prior

recent medical attendance;

2. deaths occurring under suspicious circumstances, including those where alcohol, drugs or other toxic substances may have had a

direct bearing on the

outcome;

3. deaths occurring as a result of violence or trauma, whether apparently homicidal, suicidal or accidental (including, but not limited to,

those due to

mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical or radiational injury, drowning, cave-ins and subsidence's);

4. any death in which trauma, chemical injury, drug overdose or reaction to drugs or medication or medical treatment was a primary or

secondary, direct or

indirect, contributory, aggravating or precipitating cause of death;

5. operative and peri-operative deaths in which the death is not readily explainable on the basis of prior disease;

6. any death wherein the body is unidentified or unclaimed;

7. deaths known or suspected as due to contagious disease and constituting a public hazard;

8. deaths occurring in prison or a penal institution or while in the custody of the police;

9. deaths of persons whose bodies are to be cremated, buried at sea or otherwise disposed of so as to be thereafter unavailable for

examination;

10. sudden infant death syndrome; and

11. stillbirths.

(b)

The purpose of the investigation shall be to determine the cause of any such death and to determine whether or not there is sufficient

reason for the

coroner to believe that any such death may have resulted from criminal acts or criminal neglect of persons other than the

deceased.

(c)

As part of this investigation, the coroner shall determine the identity of the deceased and notify the next of kin of the deceased. ACT OF

AUG. 9, 1955

(PL

323) SECTION 1237 – 3rd TO 8th CLASS COUNTIES.

Section 1240. Bodies not to be Moved

In all cases where the coroner has jurisdiction to investigate the facts and circumstances of death, the body and its surroundings shall be

left untouched until

the coroner has had a view thereof or until he shall otherwise direct or authorize, except as may be otherwise provided

by law, or as circumstances may

require. Bodies upon a public thoroughfare or in other places may be removed so much as is necessary

for precaution against traffic accidents or other

serious consequences, which might reasonably be anticipated if they were left intact. As

amended 1990, Nov. 29, P.L. 602, No. 152, Sec. 3

Section 15. Sudden Deaths Defined

The Coroner shall regard any death as sudden if it occurs without prior medical attendance by a person who may lawfully execute a

certificate of death in

this

Commonwealth, or if, within twenty-four hours of death, the decedent was discharged from such medical

attendance had occurred, or if any such

medical

attendance began within twenty-four hours of death and the medical attendant refuses or

is unable to certify the cause of death. Medical attendance

includes

hospitalization. The provisions of this section shall not be construed

to affect the coroner's discretion as to whether or not any death was

suspicious, nor

shall they be construed to authorize a coroner to

investigate a sudden death any further than necessary to determine the cause and manner

of death.

ACT OF AUG. 9, 1955 (PL 323) SECTION 1239 – 3rd TO 8th CLASS COUNTIES

Section 17. Release of Coroner's Jurisdiction

Whenever the Coroner assumes jurisdiction of a body pursuant to the provisions of this subsection or of any other law, the body shall not

be released or

removed from his jurisdiction except upon his direction and consent, in accordance with law. ACT OF AUG. 9, 1955 (PL

323) SECTION 1241 – 3rd TO 8th

CLASS COUNTIES

Laws Pertaining To The Coroner

(3rd to 8th class counties)

please visit:

www.pacoroners.com

The Coroner is charged by law with many responsibilities, the foremost of which is the investigation and certification of a

variety of

deaths

including all deaths of other than natural causes, and any apparently natural deaths in which no

physician can reasonably

state the

cause. The Coroner can utilize any and all medicolegal investigative techniques,

including an autopsy, to establish both

medical cause

of death, and mode or manner of death (natural, accident,

homicide, suicide, or undetermined) Additional mandated

responsibilities

include the notification of next of kin, granting

cremation permits, protection and safekeeping of property belonging

deceased

individuals, making reports to other

agencies, identification of deceased persons and the interment of indigent dead

and

unclaimed

bodies.

History and the appellate courts in Pennsylvania have determined the Coroner is a member of the Law Enforcement

Team,

possessing

Criminal Investigation powers.

elcome

to the

usquehanna County Coroner's Office Website

his site was published in an effort to answer questions as to the Duties, Responsibilities, Frequently

Asked

Questions

and

Information

about the Coroner's Office and the Coroner. We hope by providing you this

information will

help you

now or during a

time of loss of a

loved one. However, should you need additional

assistance,

please call our

office at

570-879-4771 during

regular

business hours.

We at the Susquehanna County Coroner's Office extend our deepest sympathy to you during this difficult time.

hope

the

information

contained in this website will assist you by providing answers to commonly asked

questions.

| Terms of Use | Contact us | Last modified: 07/11/08

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am- 4:00 pm | On call 24/7
Voice: 570-879-4771 | Fax: 570-879-2847 | send a message to the coroner

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Welcome to the Susquehanna County Coroner's Office Website. We hope you find this site useful and informative.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact the office during regular business hours.

This website was last updated on July 11, 2008. Let us know what you think. Send us an email. Is there anything else you whould like to see?
Thank you.

Anthony J. Conarton, Coroner

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate in calling by telephone or send an email. Let us know what you think of the Website, send us an email. THANKS!

Anthony J. Conarton, Coroner

Remember, this is a working office (24/7) and investigative duties often leave
the office vacant. Always call the office to make an appointment.