The Coroner is required by state law to investigate all deaths that fall under Coroner jurisdiction. Coroner jurisdiction ranges from deceased individuals who had no regular doctor to individuals who sustained some type of traumatic injury, such as falls, industrial deaths, traffic accidents, suicides, homicides, etc. It also includes deaths where the attending Medical Doctor is unable to state a cause of death or cases where the deceased has not been seen by a doctor for 20 days prior to death.
The Coroner’s Office has a responsibility to positively identify the deceased; determine the place, date and time, and cause and classification of death. The Coroner’s investigation is not limited to the examination of the deceased, but may include interviews with family members and other witnesses, as well as the collection of physical evidence, and the safeguarding of personal property found at the location where the deceased was located.
When necessary, the deceased is transported to the Kern County Coroner’s Office for autopsy or safekeeping, and later released to the family’s authorized funeral home or cremation service.
No, the Coroner’s Office does not allow public visitations. The deceased will be released to a funeral home for viewing.
Contact the funeral home of your choice. They are prepared to assist you in making the decisions necessary during this difficult time. They will work closely with the Coroner’s Office to arrange the release of your loved one from our facility. They will also assist you in deciding how many certified copies of the death certificate you may need and will order them for you when they file their paperwork with the county.
No. Roughly, one-third of all deaths investigated by the Coroner’s Office do not involve an autopsy examination. Autopsies are performed only on those cases where it is required by law or where it is necessary to determine the cause of death.
No.
The Coroner’s Office will complete the examination as soon as possible. For specific details, please contact the Coroner’s Office at (661) 868-0100.
Yes, when the results become available. It is recommended that one day after the autopsy is performed before calling. (is there anyone that we wouldn’t release information to?)
Occasionally, the cause of death requires further studies such as microscopic and toxicological testing. In those cases, the cause of death will be listed as “pending” until the results are returned and the doctor makes the final determination, usually in about 90 days.
Death certificates are initially ordered for the family by the funeral director handling the final arrangements. Copies may also be obtained from Vital Records located at the Kern County Public Health Department, 1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93305.
Death certificates are not completed until the deceased is transferred to the mortuary handling the arrangements.
You may contact the deputy coroner during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays, or you can reach the Coroner Investigations Unit at any time by calling (661) 868-0100. If the deputy coroner assigned to the case is not on duty, another deputy coroner will either assist you or ensure that you receive a follow-up call from the assigned investigator.
The Coroner’s Office may release property directly to the legal next-of-kin, or to any other person furnishing written authorization from the legal next-of-kin. Property release at the Coroner’s Office will be released Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Generally, property is usually released with the deceased to the funeral home that is providing arrangements.