Medical Examiner

Photo of the McCoy Building from the outside

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates and determines the cause, circumstances and manner of sudden, unexpected, violent or suspicious deaths that occur in Multnomah County.

Deaths that we are required to investigate include, but are not limited to, those that involve:

Suspicious or unknown circumstances

Homicide or suicide
Accidents or injuries
Unlawful use of controlled substances, or the use of a chemical or toxic substance (overdose)
Persons who die unexpectedly in good health, while not under the care of a physician immediately before death (such as at home)
Those that happen while incarcerated in jail or prison, or in police custody
Contagious diseases that may pose a public health threat
On-the-job activities
Deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission to a hospital or hospice care

During an investigation, a deputy medical examiner may respond to the scene, interview witnesses, take photographs, obtain evidence and property and assist with notifying next of kin.

Should further investigation be required, the decedent may be transferred to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office and an examination, toxicology, and/or other tests may be ordered.

Our office also facilitates the collection and safe disposal of prescription medications found on scene for the deceased only and the secure collection of property and valuables found on the scene.

Find more about autopsies, death certificates, costs and general information about the Medical Examiner’s Office. For questions about obtaining Medical Examiner reports, click here.

Autopsies

An autopsy will be performed:

When there's a need to establish or confirm a cause and manner of death in order to issue a death certificate
In cases involving criminal or suspected criminal wrongdoing
In any case in which an autopsy is considered to be prudent, at the state medical examiner’s discretion

Do I have to consent to an examination or autopsy? Your desires will always be considered. However, the state medical examiner makes the final decision regarding which examination procedures are necessary.

Can I view the body? The Medical Examiner’s Office is not designed to accommodate viewing. Arrangements can be made at the funeral home for viewing.

Can the deceased be an anatomical donor? In most cases, yes. The medical examiner will authorize anatomical gifts whenever possible, although certain cases preclude donations.

Oregon Health and Science University | 503-494-8302
MedCure | 866-560-2525
BioGift | 503-670-1799
Aeternitas Lifa | 844-330-7040
Mt. Hood Community College | 503-491-6940

Death certificates

Can I get a death certificate from the Medical Examiner? The Medical Examiner's Office does not provide death certificates. For Multnomah County Medical Examiner cases, the funeral home will file all the necessary paperwork and provide the official death certificate to the family. Other questions you may have regarding cost, distribution, etc, of death certificates will be answered by your funeral home selection.

Can the Medical Examiner's Office replace my damaged or lost death certificate? If you are looking to replace a damaged or lost death certificate, or are looking to order an additional copy more than six months after the date of death, please visit Multnomah County Vital Records. The number is 503-988-3745 and the email is vitals@multco.us. If the death occurred outside of Multnomah County, you would need to reach out to the Oregon Department of Human Services Center for Health Statistics.

How long will it take to receive a death certificate? It may take 12-16 weeks or longer to get a death certificate if the exact cause and manner of death cannot be immediately determined. Special laboratory tests or further investigation may be necessary.

Costs

There is no fee for the investigation. Occasionally transportation is needed to get the body to the Medical Examiner’s Office. This cost is passed on to the designated funeral home/cremation service.

For Funeral Homes

Request Disposition of Remains (219.42 KB)

Request a Letter of Non-Contagiousness (475.49 KB) needed to transport remains out of the country. Fax this form with the required documents to 503-988-4588. For questions, contact us at 503-988-0055.

About the Medical Examiner's Office

What is a medical examiner? A Medical Examiner is a medical doctor that utilizes their medical expertise to determine the cause and manner of death for a decedent. They are responsible for overseeing the postmortem examinations and testing. They differ from a coroner, who does not have to be a medical doctor and is an elected position.

What is a medicolegal death investigator? According to the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, “The role of the medicolegal death investigator is to investigate any death that falls under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner or coroner, including all suspicious, violent, unexplained and unexpected deaths. The medicolegal death investigator is responsible for the dead person, whereas the local law enforcement jurisdiction is responsible for the scene. The medicolegal death investigator performs scene investigations emphasizing information developed from the decedent and determines the extent to which further investigation is necessary.”

For more information about the training, duties, and continuing education requirements, please visit the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.