Review of Deaths

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office will review more than 4,600 reports of death this year. Twelve hundred to fourteen hundred of these deaths will be medically unattended or unexpected, or will result from special circumstances that make the death a coroner’s case by law. These unattended or unexpected deaths require a scene response and investigation by a deputy coroner; approximately 350 of these deaths will require an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Review of Cause of Death

The cause of death is defined as any injury or disease that fatally interrupts the natural processes of life. Often, the cause of death is really a cascade of changes in the body that may occur over a long time.

The manner of death refers to the circumstances in which the death arose. The five manners of death are natural, accident, suicide, homicide and undetermined.