The Coroner’s Section investigates all sudden, violent, or unusual deaths that occur in Yolo County, California.  The primary duty of the Coroner is to determine the cause and manner of death in homicide, suicide, accident, natural, and undetermined cases from scene investigation, examination of evidence, interviews, medical record review, toxicological analysis, forensic pathology examinations and autopsies.

In addition, many other duties are required of Deputy Coroners.  These include positive identification of the decedent (based on fingerprints, dental records, DNA or other methods), notification of the next-of-kin, collecting and processing evidence, securing the decedent’s property, forensic photography, forensic radiology, sample collection for toxicological analysis, issuing the certificate of death, completing a detailed investigative report (to include on-scene investigation, autopsy findings and toxicological analysis), and courtroom testimony.

The Coroner’s Section operates from a centralized office, morgue, and laboratory area.  All deaths that require further evaluation from the initial investigation are transported to the laboratory where a formal forensic examination is performed.  The forensic laboratory facility includes two autopsy suites with a separate viewing room, full-body and dental x-ray equipment, a darkroom, a walk-in refrigerator, an ultra-low temperature deep freezer, and two evidence/property rooms.  We also are a resource for neighboring counties who do not maintain forensic examination facilities including Butte, Tehama, and Yuba Counties.

The Yolo County Coroner’s Section is staffed with one Chief Deputy Coroner, four Deputy Coroners, one Records Clerk, and five Coroner Student Interns.  We also contract with a group of board certified forensic pathologists, and other forensic specialists in Entomology, Anthropology, and Odontology.

Our Deputy Coroners bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the position.  Investigators’ backgrounds include Master and Bachelor Degrees in Biological Systems Engineering, Psychology, Human Gross Anatomy, Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Chemistry, and Microbiology.  All Senior Deputy Coroners are affiliated with The American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

The Coroner Student Intern program originated in 1993.  Each year, five interns are selected from a wealth of applicants.  The program provides an outstanding opportunity for college students to gain practical, hands-on experience in the field of Death Investigations.