HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

1014.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Coroner Division regularly receives requests from outside parties seeking to attend an autopsy examination. This policy establishes guidelines for evaluating and approving such requests.

1014.2 REQUESTS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

When requests to attend an autopsy are received from law enforcement personnel with an investigative interest in the death, the requests shall be granted by the Deputy Coroner without need for other approval. The Deputy Coroner should inform other involved agencies of the request. The Deputy Coroner shall be responsible for facilitating the request by contacting the interested party or agency to inform them of the scheduled autopsy time.

• When requests to attend an autopsy are received from law enforcement personnel with no investigative interest in the death, the request shall be forwarded to the Coroner for review and approval.
• When a law enforcement agency requests to use their own forensic personnel for photography or evidence processing during autopsy, the request can be granted by the Deputy Coroner at their discretion.

1014.3 REQUESTS FROM NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

The Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department – Coroner Division is heavily reliant on volunteer personnel for assistance with autopsies.

When requests to attend an autopsy are received from members of the public or other non-law enforcement personnel, the request shall be forwarded to the staff member in charge of volunteer management. The staff member in charge of volunteer management will review and approve or deny the request based on the current needs of the Coroner Division. The request shall include:

• The requestor's name and contact information
• The requestor's occupation or field of interest
• A brief explanation of the reason or benefit of attending an autopsy

1014.3.1 APPROVED REQUESTS FROM NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

The Coroner should be notified of any approved attendance requests from members of the public or other non-law enforcement personnel. The staff member in charge of volunteer management and/or the Deputy Coroner shall be responsible for coordination and scheduling.

Private Autopsy 1015 Private Autopsy