Medical Examiner Information and Resources

 Documents in PDF format:

Death Certificate Information:


Other information, services and resources

Emergency preparedness:

The Office of the Regional Medical Examiner plays a key role in planning for and responding to natural disasters and potential terrorism.

Forensic education and career information:

The professional staff of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office provides forensic training to public agencies, law enforcement, healthcare facilities and other professionals. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office supports and provides leadership to professional organizations that advance, and encourage careers in, the forensic sciences.

Helpful career information can be found at:

A step-by-step demonstration of what happens during an autopsy procedure is available at:

The Division of Forensic and Environmental Pathology of Saint Louis University School of Medicine offers a five-day program designed to teach individuals how to conduct scientific systematic and thorough death scene and telephone investigations for medical examiner and coroner offices.

Grief and mourning:

The Office of the Regional Medical Examiner works closely with appropriate organizations to provide support and education to surviving family and friends.

Organ donation:

The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office works closely with families and Mid-America Transplant Services to encourage and facilitate organ and tissue donation whenever possible.

Toxicology:

Saint Louis University, renowned for its medical school and medical center, responds to the need for drug and alcohol testing with a superior laboratory. The Saint Louis University Forensic Toxicology Laboratory provides on-site drug and alcohol testing , and serves medical, legal and business professionals throughout the United States.

For further information, contact Sarah Riley, Ph.D., Director of Forensic Toxicology, at 314-615-0827.

Information regarding leading causes of death and prevention

Child Abuse:

Child fatalities are the most tragic consequence of child abuse and neglect. The most common mechanism of child abuse fatalities in the United States is abusive head trauma or Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Infants, children, and youth:

Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths/Safe sleep for infants: Unsafe sleep arrangements have been identified as a risk factor in the vast majority of sudden, unexpected infant deaths.

Motor Vehicle Accidents:

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury death.

Natural cause:

Cardiovascular disease accounts for the greatest proportion of natural cause deaths. There is a strong link between cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Non-traffic injury:

Injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States.

 Research, History and Genealogy:

Suicide:

In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of injury-related deaths among young people.