BOLIVAR COUNTY

The main goal of the death investigator should be to gather as much information from the body of the deceased as possible in order to accurately determine the cause, manner and time of death. While gathering and preserving evidence the investigator should do everything in his/her power to preserve the integrity of the decedent.

The investigator also has a responsibility to the family of the decedent. After the initial investigation it is the coroner's responsibility to notify next of kin. The coroner should also explain to the family his/her decision to have an autopsy performed, why one should be performed, where the decedent will be taken for the procedure and when to expect the body to be returned to the funeral home.

The investigator becomes the eyes, ears, and mouth of the decedent the last hours of that person's life and should tell the decedent's story prior to the decedent's death.