HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

1013.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Occasionally, the Coroner Division receives a request from an outside agency or county to perform an autopsy examination, or other services for that entity. This policy establishes guidelines for the facilitation and documentation of such services.

1013.2 CASE NUMBER PREFIX

After obtaining all required information, the Deputy Coroner shall memorialize the agency assist with an "Assist" case number, designated with the prefix "A."

• Example: A-001-24 All "Assist" cases are documented via a log maintained at the Coroner Division.

1013.3 INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

All investigative casework performed on behalf of another agency or county shall be the responsibility of the Deputy Coroner receiving the initial request.

1013.4 PRE-APPROVED CONTRACTS

The Coroner is permitted to initiate an Assist case for agencies or counties that hold a pre-approved contract with the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department - Coroner Division. The provision of services to outside agencies or counties without an existing pre-approved contract shall first be approved by the Coroner Division Commander.

1013.5 AUTOPSIES FOR OUTSIDE AGENCIES

Any decedent whose death occurs outside of Hartwell County's jurisdiction, is to be transported to the Coroner Division Facility for the purpose of a postmortem examination and shall be processed per the applicable Division policies and procedures, unless otherwise noted in this policy.

• It is the sole responsibility of the requesting agency to transport the remains to and from the Coroner Division Facility.
• Identification of the remains will be the responsibility of the outside agency.

1. The remains will not be fingerprinted.

• All tissues, biological specimens, and x-rays shall remain in the custody of the Coroner Division Facility until a cause of death is determined and all analyses are complete.

1. Once a cause of death is established and/or all analyses are complete, all specimens, tissues and x-rays shall be released to the outside agency.

• Copies of all paperwork shall be retained by the Coroner Division Facility. Original paperwork shall be given to the requesting agency.

Autopsy Attendance