Office of the Chief Medical Examiner - Overview

Features

How the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigates sudden, unexpected or unexplained deaths in Alberta.

Death investigations

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

The OCME investigates cases of people who die in Alberta:

from homicidal violence
from suicide
from an accident
unexpectedly when in apparent good health
when unattended by a physician
while in the care of the government, such as in mental health or correctional facilities
in suspicious circumstances
from medical assistance in dying

We also inspect death certificates in all cases where:

burial permits are issued
cremation is applied for
a body is to be shipped out of province

Our investigations can range from a paper-based file review of medical records to a full autopsy. Autopsies are prioritized and the vast majority of bodies are examined within one working day of their arrival at the OCME. This is vital so the bodies can be released for burial or cremation.

OCME staff members work in:

toxicology
forensic pathology
investigations
records management
administration
the autopsy suite

Information bulletins

Information bulletins are intended for police and medical communities in Alberta.

Caseloads and staffing

The OCME investigates 20,000 deaths on average each year, which includes a combined total of more than 4,000 autopsies and external exams.

Golden Triangle Conference

The OCME hosts the Golden Triangle Conference every 2 years. It alternates between Edmonton and Calgary in partnership with the Edmonton Police Service and the Calgary Police Service.

The conference provides training to:

death investigators and coroners
law enforcement personnel, including:
- municipal police
- the RCMP
- military police

How we are organized

The OCME employs:

a Chief Medical Examiner
Deputy Chief Medical Examiners
Assistant Chief Medical Examiners

The OCME performs an average of 4,000 post-mortem examinations – the physical review of deceased bodies – per year. They investigate nearly 20,000 deceased people each year.

Calgary and Edmonton offices

The OCME has offices in Calgary and Edmonton that each have 7 distinct, cross-functional working units:

Medical Examiner
Medical Investigator
Mortuary
Toxicology
Records
Administration

Medical Investigator Unit

The OCME’s Medical Investigator Unit is available 24 hours a day, every day. Medical investigators are often the first point of contact for the deceased’s relatives, friends and the deceased’s physician. These investigators interview them to determine if a death requires an investigation.

Fatality Review Board

The Fatality Review Board oversees the work conducted by the OCME. The board’s independent panel is made up of a:

lawyer
physician
lay person

They review OCME case work and may recommend a public fatality inquiry into someone’s death in order to:

prevent similar deaths in the future
protect the public
clarify the circumstances surrounding the death

Education, tours and presentations

The OCME helps teach and train medical personnel at the University of Calgary and University of Alberta. Education, tours and presentations include the following:

post-graduate training in forensic pathology
tours or presentations for affiliated professional agencies

For information about education or booking a tour or presentation, email [email protected].

Publications

Contact

Connect with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

For death notifications and emergencies, contact us 24 hours a day, every day.

Calgary location

Phone: 403-297-8123
Fax: 403-297-3429
Email: [email protected]

Visit our office at:

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
4070 Bowness Road NW
Calgary, Alberta T3B 3R7

Edmonton location

Phone: 780-427-4987
Fax: 780-422-1265
Email: [email protected]