Office of The Chief Medical Examiner

Frequently Asked Questions

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:52:09 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to questions frequently asked by next-of-kin of the deceased.

vdhadmin Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:52

Provider Resources

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:52:09 +0000

Provider Resources

To report a case or reach an Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigator for consultation, call our Vermont toll free number, 888-552-2952.

Access the Certifying a Death in Vermont Tutorial

vdhadmin Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:52

Family Resources

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:52:09 +0000

Family Resources

Here is prevention information, support and resources for families who may be dealing with suicide, sudden infant death and bereavement.

vdhadmin Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:52

What To Expect

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:52:09 +0000

What To Expect

Sudden and unexpected deaths can leave a family bereaved, distraught and looking for answers. One way to help a family understand what happened to their loved one is with an autopsy.

Vermont law states that deaths due to injury or unexpected natural deaths, can be authorized by the Chief Medical Examiner or the State’s Attorney for investigation by conducting a medicolegal autopsy. Medicolegal autopsies are authorized under state law, and all costs associated with the autopsy are paid by the State. If there are specific religious concerns about the autopsy, the family may contact the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner or the State’s Attorney of their jurisdiction.

The autopsy procedure can take a few hours to perform and varies depending on the requirements of the case. The autopsy should not affect a funeral or viewing of the decedent. Vermont funeral directors have been working together with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for years and can assist families in preparations and transport of their loved one.

vdhadmin Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:52

Records & Reports

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:52:09 +0000

Records & Reports

Autopsy Reports

Final Reports of Autopsy can take weeks to several months to prepare due to the detailed studies that may be performed during the autopsy procedure. All Final Reports of Autopsy are distributed to the State’s Attorneys Office per 18 V.S.A. § 505. In certain circumstances, such as cases in which there is an ongoing criminal investigation, the state’s attorney has jurisdiction over the distribution of the autopsy findings.

vdhadmin Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:52

Death Investigation Systems

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:52:09 +0000

Death Investigation Systems

Vermont law created a statewide medical examiner system in the mid-1950s. From its inception, death investigation has relied upon community-based death investigators coordinated through a central system led by a forensic pathologist – the Chief Medical Examiner.

This system has evolved over the years from local investigators, the majority of whom were physicians, to today's statewide team of advanced emergency medical service technicians, paramedics and nurses in addition to physicians.

vdhadmin Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:52