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Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

How the office works, death investigation process, body transportation and report a death.

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Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Introduction

When a death occurs suddenly or it cannot be explained, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) conducts an investigation, under the authority of the Fatality Inquiries Act.

OCME investigates deaths to determine:

  • identity of the deceased
  • date and place of death
  • medical reason for death (why it occurred)
  • manner of death

Find out more about the OCME.

In focus

Report an unexpected or unexplained death
Members of the public and health professionals must report an unexpected or unexplained death they witnessed, following these steps.
Obtain death documents related to an investigation
How to obtain documents related to an Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigation of a death.