Office of the Medical Examiner
Our Mission:
The mission of the Saint Louis County Medical Examiner's Office is to determine
the cause and manner of death in all sudden, violent and suspicious deaths
occurring in Saint Louis County 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 wellbeing and safety of the
citizens of St. Louis County by being the first alert to deaths that have
been caused
by violence, hazards, dangers, and infectious diseases.
“We strive to sustain a spirit of service and commitment which results
in the highest level of satisfaction possible for employees, families
and the public.”
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| | Mary E. Case, MD
Chief Medical Examiner |
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The Chief Medical Examiner is a board certified forensic pathologist who
is appointed by the Director of the Department of Health 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 St. 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 consist 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
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The Gantner Building is near I-170 and Airport Road
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Contacts:
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| Business Hours: | 8 am - 5 pm, Mon - Fri |
| Address: | George Gantner Building
6039 Helen Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63134
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| Phone: | 314-522-3262 |
| Fax: | 314-522-0955 |
| TTY: | 314-615-8428 |
| Death Reporting Line: | 314-522-1028 |
| On the Web: |
www.stlouisco.com/doh/medexam/medexam.html |
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Documents in pdf format:
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'How
to request a copy of a report'
(from
the brochure Family
Information)
Medical Examiner Policies and Procedures for Reportable Deaths |
For related information ON our site:
Death Certificate Information:
DOH Vital Records....................................314-615-1684
For related information OFF our site:
Other information, services and resources:
Toxicology:
St. Louis University, renowned for its medical school and medical center,
responds to the need for drug and alcohol testing with a superior laboratory.
The St. Louis University Forensic Toxicology Laboratory provides on-site
drug and alcohol testing for the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s
Office, and serves medical, legal and business professionals throughout the
United States.
For further information, contact Christopher Long, Ph.D., DABFT, Director
of Forensic & Environmental Toxicology Laboratories, at 314-522-3262,
extension 6520.
Forensic education and career information:
The professional staff of the
Medical Examiner’s Office provides forensic training to public agencies,
law enforcement, healthcare facilities and other professionals. The 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 St. 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.
Organ donation:
The Medical Examiner’s Office
works closely with families and Mid-America Transplant Services to encourage
and facilitate organ and
tissue donation whenever possible.
Emergency preparedness:
The Office of the Medical Examiner plays a key role
in planning for and responding to natural disasters and potential terrorism.
Grief and mourning:
The Office of the Medical Examiner works closely with
appropriate organizations to provide support and education to surviving family
and friends.
Information regarding leading causes of death and prevention:
Natural cause:
Cardiovascular disease accounts for the greatest proportion
of natural cause deaths. There is a strong link between cardiovascular disease
and diabetes.
Motor Vehicle Accidents:
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of
unintentional injury death.
Non-traffic injury:
Injuries are the leading cause of death among children
in the United States.
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.
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.
Suicide:
In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of injury-related
deaths among young people.
Research, History and Genealogy:
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