Regional Medical Examiner

Our Mission

The mission of the Office of the Regional Medical Examiner is to determine the cause and manner of death in all sudden, violent and suspicious deaths occurring in Franklin, Jefferson and St. Charles counties and to disseminate the investigative, autopsy and toxicological results as warranted.

The Medical Examiner’s Office is committed to responding to the needs of the community and contributing to the well being and safety of the citizens of Franklin, Jefferson and St. Charles counties by being the first alert to deaths that have been caused by violence, hazards, dangers, or infectious diseases.

The Chief Medical Examiner is a board certified forensic pathologist who is appointed to investigate sudden, unexpected, suspicious, unnatural or violent deaths. The Medical Examiner serves the community by utilizing the knowledge of forensic science and medicine to investigate deaths that constitute a concern to the public health and safety. Surviving family, friends, and the public have the assurance that a thorough and accurate investigation has been conducted.

Accurate determination of cause and manner of death in the deaths of concern to the public are essential for a variety of reasons, including the proper administration of justice, by identifying murders and exonerating the innocent; recognizing and maintaining evidence for use in criminal and civil proceedings; recognizing epidemic threats to the public health; recognizing defective materials, structures or products; detecting dangerous occupational environments; establishing causes of death in cases of therapeutic intervention; and ensuring that law enforcement officials do not engage in or be unjustly accused of brutality. A complete medicolegal investigation provides for the expeditious settlement of insurance claims and estates.

The Medical Examiner’s Office is committed to providing forensic education to public agencies, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and other forensic professionals. This division is closely aligned with Saint Louis University’s Division of Forensic Pathology, governmental agencies that analyze and disseminate information critical to public health and safety, and organizations that support and promote advances in forensic sciences. The Office of the Medical Examiner plays a key role in planning for and responding to natural disasters and potential terrorism.

Personnel of the Medical Examiner’s Office consists of Assistant Medical Examiners who assist the Chief and have similar qualifications as the Chief, medicolegal death investigators, autopsy assistants, toxicology personnel, administrative and support staff.