Coroner
Brian K. Myers, Coroner
Courthouse Administration Building 450 Market Street Kittanning, PA 16201 Bob Bellas, Chief Deputy
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The Coroner investigates all sudden, suspicious, violent, traumatic, criminal, unexplained and certain operative deaths. These investigations are conducted in order to expand the knowledge and understanding of mechanisms which result in death and having viewed the body, shall investigate the facts and circumstances concerning deaths which occurred within the county for the purpose of determining whether an autopsy is warranted or an inquest thereof shall be in the following cases: | |
• Sudden deaths not caused by readily recognizable disease or where the cause of death cannot be properly certified by a physician on the basis of prior or recent medical attendance |
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The purpose of an investigation shall be to determine the cause of any such death and to determine whether or not there is sufficient reason for the Coroner to believe that any such death may have resulted from criminal acts or criminal neglect of persons other than the deceased. In all cases where the Coroner has jurisdiction to investigate the facts and circumstances of a death, the body and its surroundings shall be left untouched until the Coroner has had a view thereof or until he shall otherwise direct or authorize the removal or release of the body. | |
The laws of the Commonwealth provide that the Coroner shall take custody of all personal effects which appear to have been on or about the person at the time of the death until lawfully claimed by proper persons. Care shall be taken in the gathering of these effects in order to facilitate identification of the deceased and further any police investigation that might be in progress. | |
Links | |
• Pennsylvania State Coroner's Association |