The Coroner’s Office is directed by the Coroner, an elected official, who must be a medical doctor in Louisiana. The job of the Coroner, by law, is to investigate the circumstances of certain types of deaths in order to determine the cause and manner of death. Cases which require a coroner’s investigation are: Sudden, unexpected death when in apparent good health Death of a person who is not under the recent care of a physician Any violent death (homicide, suicide, accident) Any death suspicious for violence Any unusual or unexpected death You can view and download a document explaining this in detail here: (Coroners Cases Defined Form)

The body will be taken to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office and Medical Forensic Facility, 4030 T. B. Hearndon Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. In the case of a death that has been determined to be of natural causes, your loved one may be released directly to your Funeral Service Provider. (At the discretion of the Coroner)

No. In most cases visual identification is not required. If it is, you will be notified by the Coroner’s Office.

Only in very rare cases. The Coroner’s office is not designed to handle bereaved relatives. Only in extremely unusual circumstances is viewing allowed. Modern law enforcement techniques typically allow for the positive identification of the deceased without having to put a family member through that traumatic experience. Arrangements for viewing at the funeral home should be made with the funeral home.

The body will be released to the funeral home of your choice following completion of the investigation. Occasionally a body may be held longer in cases where additional investigation is required.

No. A coroner’s investigator gathers the information concerning the circumstances of death, the medical history, and the social history. If there is sufficient history and the circumstances are consistent with a death due to known medical problems, an autopsy is not usually performed. If however, there is any evidence of foul play or if the circumstances of the death are unusual, an autopsy is usually performed. If the Coroner determines an autopsy is not necessary but the family wishes to have an autopsy performed, they may contact a private pathologist for this service. *NOTE*: The decision to perform an autopsy rests with the Coroner.

No.

You may request a copy from the funeral home where arrangements are made.

The death certificate is usually completed within 4-8 days upon completion of the death investigation. In cases requiring an autopsy to complete the investigation, the time for completion of the death certificate is subject to autopsy caseloads.

An autopsy report can take several months to be completed, and is dependent on caseload. Copies of the autopsy report may be obtained from the Coroner’s Office. Appropriate forms and fees will apply. An autopsy report on cases under police investigation will not be released to anyone other than law enforcement agencies.