Death investigation systems by state

Most states do not use a single statewide system. While some states rely on a centralized medical examiner’s office, many leave death investigations to local jurisdictions — creating a patchwork of systems across the country.

Click on the button below to explore death investigation systems by county.
County systems

Systems are grouped by their primary structure. Local medical examiner systems include county- and district-based systems, while local coroner systems include county- and parish-based systems. Mixed systems include states where death investigation practices vary by jurisdiction or combine coroners, medical examiners, justices of the peace, or state medical examiner offices.
Chart: Amanda Watford/StatelineSource: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionGet the data