|
|
The average citizen likely does not think about Medical Examiner duties and responsibilities when reviewing government services. The Medical Examiner has an obscure job visible primarily to members of public safety agencies such as law enforcement and the fire services, journalists and relatives of those who die from suspected homicides, suicides or accidents.
The Medical Examiner and the Deputy Medical Examiner are appointed by the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners for four-year terms. Medical Examiners and their deputies must be and remain Michigan-licensed physicians and reside in Lapeer County.
 The Medical Examiner's Duties
- Budget preparation
- Office policy and process development
- Management, implementation, evaluation, and supervision of legal inquests
- Ordering and arranging post-mortem examinations
- Certifying the cause and manner of jurisdiction deaths including death certificate completion
- Facilitating organ procurement
- Evaluation, approval and signing of cremation permits
- Participation in Lapeer County Child Death and Fetal-Infant Mortality Reviews
- Appointment, training, management and evaluation of Medical Death Investigators
- Testifying in court when called
- Participation in countywide mass fatality and bioterrorism planning, preparation, training and exercise
Public Services Provided
It is the Lapeer County Office of the Medical Examiner's duty and responsibility to promote and protect the health and well being of Lapeer County residents. To do this, several services are provided. These include:
- Death certificate completion on those who die and fall under Medical Examiner jurisdiction. These death certifications will show the manner (Natural, Homicide, Suicide, Accident, or Undetermined) and the cause of death whether or not a post-mortem examination (autopsy) is done. (Sometimes, this may take several weeks if toxicology or other test results are necessary to determine the manner and/or cause of death)
- Cremation permit evaluation, approval and signature
- Autopsy reports for those authorized to receive them
- Group presentations on issues related to the health of Lapeer County residents
Types of Deaths Investigated
The Medical Examiner has jurisdiction in Lapeer County over any individual dying as a result of/while:
- Homicide (other-inflicted)
- Suicide (self-inflicted)
- Accident (ex: car crashes, falls, drownings, poisonings)
- Criminal abortion (including those which are self-induced)
- An unforseen, unexpected and/or sudden unexplained occurrence
- In government custody, such as in a jail or prison, under arrest or while being detained, transported or otherwise controlled by government agents
- Residing in/being transported by any State-licensed facility
- Under Federal penal control, such as executions
- Child deaths (All individuals under the age of 18)
- Unusual or suspicious circumstances
- As a result of a communicable disease with potential for widespread interpersonal transmission causing significant morbidity and mortality
- Suspected or actual terrorist activity
Hours:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call (810) 245-5711
|
|
