Frequently Asked Questions:
Are all deaths reported to the coroner?
What happens when a death is reported to the coroner’s office?
What does the coroner’s office do?
Why is the coroner’s office involved?
What types of deaths are investigated by the coroner’s office?
Is there a charge for the autopsy?
How do I contact the coroner’s office?
Does the next of kin need to give permission before an autopsy is done?
What if I disagree with the coroner’s decision to require an autopsy?
How long does an autopsy take?
After the autopsy, when will the body be released?
How can I obtain the deceased’s personal effects?
How do I obtain a copy of the autopsy report?
How and when do I obtain the death certificate?
Will the coroner need to be there before the body is taken away?
Should I call the police if I come across skeletal remains?
What if I think they are animal remains?
Are all deaths reported to the coroner?
No. Colorado statute defines the types of deaths reported to the coroner See Coroner’s Jurisdiction
You must call 911. DO NOT call the coroner’s office directly.
What happens when a death is reported to the coroner’s office?
The coroner or deputy coroner on call responds to the death scene, pronounces death, records preliminary information and arranges for the body to be transported to the mortuary. Depending on the circumstances, the coroner will release the body immediately to the family for funeral arrangements or order that it be held for further investigation, which may include an autopsy.
What does the coroner’s office do?
See The Coroner’s Jurisdiction and Other Responsibilities.
Why is the coroner’s office involved?
The coroner is mandated by state statute to investigate certain types of deaths See The Coroner’s Jurisdiction.
What types of deaths are investigated by the coroner’s office?
See The Coroner’s Jurisdiction.
An autopsy is a detailed examination of a dead body conducted under the authority of the coroner to determine the cause and manner of death.
To learn more about autopsies, view The Autopsy: What it is, why it’s done.
An autopsy is the ultimate medical test. The coroner performs an autopsy when the cause of death is uncertain, when it is important to rule out certain possibilities, when medical evidence is needed or when other medical or investigative questions require it.
Is there a charge for the autopsy?
La Plata County pays the cost of autopsies performed by the coroner. The family is not charged.
How do I contact the coroner’s office?
Call 970-382-6397. If nobody is in, leave a message. Your call will be returned. You may also contact the coroner by e-mail at husercj@co.laplata.co.us.
Does the next of kin need to give permission before an autopsy is done?
No. The coroner has full authority to conduct an autopsy in any case falling under coroner jurisdiction. Family consent is neither required nor sought.
What if I disagree with the coroner’s decision to require an autopsy?
Call me. While I am always willing to discuss your concerns, my first priority is my obligation to fulfill my statutory responsibility to accurately determine cause and manner of death.
How long does an autopsy take?
There’s no simple answer. Depending on the complexity of the case, an autopsy may take an hour or many hours. On very rare occasions, autopsy procedures may be performed over a couple of days.
After the autopsy, when will the body be released?
The body will usually be released to the family as soon as the autopsy is finished.
How can I obtain the deceased’s personal effects?
The coroner’s office does not retain personal effects. Most of the time, they remain at the funeral home with the body and are released when the next of kin makes funeral arrangements. Personal effects that are particularly valuable or that have evidentiary significance may be taken into law enforcement custody, and the law enforcement agency will decide when and to whom they may be released.
How do I obtain a copy of the autopsy report?
Send a written request to:
Carol J. Huser, M. D.
La Plata County Coroner
1060 East Second Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Or fax the request to: 970-375-7986
How and when do I obtain the death certificate?
Typically, the funeral home that handles the arrangements will provide copies as part of the service agreement. Copies are also available from the health department, which requires that a copy be filed within five business days. If the coroner has not made a final determination on cause and manner of death by that time, a temporary certificate will be filed stating the cause and manner of death as “pending.” A final certificate will be filed when the investigation is concluded and the coroner has made a determination.
Will the coroner need to be there before the body is taken away?
The coroner will almost always respond to the scene before the body is removed. VERY rarely, coroner consent to move the body may be made over the telephone.
Should I call the police if I come across skeletal remains?
Yes. Call 911.
What if I think they are animal remains?
There is no need to report obvious animal remains. If you have any question, call 911. A police officer will respond and decide whether to call the coroner.