HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

1003.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Notifying a decedent's legal next-of-kin of the death is a core duty of the Coroner set forth by Government Code 27491. This policy serves to establish rules and guidelines for the Deputy Coroner in the performance of next-of-kin searches, notifications, and making determinations as to legal status.

1003.2 PROMPT NOTIFICATIONS

Following a positive identification, the Deputy Coroner's efforts to locate and notify a decedent's next-of- kin shall begin immediately.

• When investigating the death of an unidentified person where a tentative identification is available, next-of-kin may be notified if they are needed to assist the Deputy Coroner by providing information that may lead to positive identification.

1. Examples include providing the Deputy Coroner with dental x-rays or DNA samples.
2. In these cases the Deputy Coroner shall inform next-of-kin that identification is not yet confirmed.

1003.3 NEXT OF KIN SEARCH

When a decedent's next-of-kin is not immediately known, the Deputy Coroner shall initiate a search for that next-of-kin using any, and all, available resources. The Deputy Coroner shall document his/her efforts in the Coroner Investigator's written report. When all possible leads have been exhausted and next-of-kin remains unknown, the Deputy Coroner should refer the case to the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department Assistant Public Administrator.

1003.4 NOTIFICATION APPROACHES

Death notifications should be performed in-person whenever case circumstances permit. If the apparent next-of-kin resides outside of Hartwell County jurisdiction, the Deputy Coroner may contact the local law enforcement agency or Coroner/Medical Examiner to request assistance with an in-person death notification. If the Deputy Coroner determines that the need for an expeditious notification outweighs the need for an in-person delivery, or if the in-person notification attempt was unsuccessful, notification may be completed using other methods.

1003.4.1 CONTACTING NEXT-OF-KIN VIA MAIL OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

Occasionally, both in-person and telephone notification attempts are unsuccessful. In cases where both methods have been attempted, and the Deputy Coroner identifies an opportunity to contact the next-of- kin by mail or electronic communication, the Deputy Coroner may send the Coroner Division's approved message to the intended party, directing him/her to contact the Coroner Division in reference to the decedent.

1003.5 IN-PERSON DEATH NOTIFICATIONS

The Deputy Coroner may request the assistance of a law enforcement officer or second Deputy Coroner when performing an in-person notification. The Deputy Coroner shall also notify the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department dispatch center of their location and intent to make the notification.

1003.6 ESTABLISHING NEXT-OF-KIN STATUS

Following the initial notification to potential next-of-kin, the Deputy Coroner shall query their relationship to the decedent in order to establish their legal authority. Kin status shall be decided pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 7100.

• A search for next-of-kin must continue until the highest priority surviving relative is located and notified or all reasonable efforts to locate such person have been exhausted. Field Responses