General Questions
The Butler County Coroner's Office is located at: 315 High Street, 6th Floor Hamilton, OH 45011 |
The remains of deceased persons are brought to the Coroner's Office because Ohio Law requires that the Coroner investigate deaths of persons caused by criminal violence, accident, or suicide, dying suddenly, when unattended by a physician for a reasonable period of time, in detention, when under 2 years of age, or in any suspicious or unusual manner. Another reason that a body may be brought to the Coroner's Office is that the identity of the deceased or next-of-kin is unknown.
The next-of-kin discusses this with other family members, clergy or friends. The selection of a crematory or funeral home should be begin soon after notification of the death. This insures the funeral home time to pick up and prepare the "loved one."
The Coroner is prohibited from recommending a funeral home. However, a list will be provided at notification of local funeral homes or crematories. More funeral homes or crematories can be found in the telephone book or on the Internet.
Usually the personal effects such as wallets, money ($300.00 & under), jewelry, and clothing of the deceased is released with the body to the funeral home or crematory for disposal or use as the family directs. In cases of homicides, vehicular accidents, and other situations where examination or retention of personal effects is necessary, it will be held by the Law Enforcement Agency that is investigating.
Examination of Body and Autopsy
- An autopsy is a medical procedure involving the examination of a dead body. An autopsy is sometimes termed a post-mortem examination. The word autopsy is derived from the Greek word autopsia, which means "to see with one's own eyes."
- Autopsies are performed by pathologists - medical doctors who have received specialty training in the diagnosis of diseases by the examination of body fluids and tissues.
- Autopsies are performed for a variety of reasons, including:
- to determine the cause of death
- to aid in criminal investigations of wrongful death
Death Certificate
At that time, the Coroner will issue a death certificate with "Pending Investigation" or with the cause of death listed.
The Coroner may sign a "Pending" death certificate, enabling the funeral home or crematory to care for the "loved one" as per the request of the family.
A "Pending" death certificate is signed when there is insufficient information available for a ruling of a "cause of death". The investigation will continue with additional laboratory testing, and/or autopsy and with possible microscopic examination. The minimum time needed is 12 weeks.
At the culmination of these tests and investigations, the ruling is made based on all available information. A supplemental death certificate is then issued with the cause of death and ruling which supersedes the "Pending" death certificate.
Without an autopsy, a minimum time necessary to determine a "cause of death" is 6-8 weeks. However, when an autopsy has been performed a minimum timeframe is 12 weeks is allotted for more in depth investigation. The time could extend out farther when additional testing needs to be done.
At the culmination of these tests and investigation, the ruling is made based on all available information. A supplemental death certificate is then issued with the cause of death and ruling which supersedes the "Pending" death certificate.
Death Certificates can be obtained from the health department matching the city, township or county in which the death occurred.
City Of Hamilton Health Dept.
345 High Street 3RD Floor
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
513-785-7080
City of Hamilton Health Dept
Middletown Health Dept.
One Donham Plaza
Middletown, Ohio 45042
513-425-7851
Middletown Health Dept.
Butler County Health Dept.
301 South Third St.
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
513-863-1770
Butler County Health Dept.
Autopsy Report
Please allow a minimum of 12 weeks for completion of report.
Coroner Report
It is the final document produced in a Coroner's case and summarizes the Coroner's findings.
Please allow a minimum of 12 weeks for completion of report.
Private Autopsy
The Ohio State University - Autopsy Center
Boonshoft School of Medicine - Department of Pathology