mec.lacounty.govMedical Examiner

lacounty.gov Search Quick Links About Your Case FAQs Families Forensic Labs Forms Grief Resources Online Services Work with Us FAQs FAQs Glossary of Terms Site Visits Fact Vs Fiction Our Services Our Process Families Law Enforcement/Legal Mortuaries Hospitals Landlords/Property Owners Media Case Information Case Search Form Unidentified Persons Search Newsroom Media Information News/Announcements Press Releases Annual Reports/Stats Inquests Seminars/Workshops ARDI Initiative Gallery Work Opportunities Employment Pathology Fellowship Internships Volunteer VendorsVision & History Mission Statement Our Responsibility Contact Us Accolades Accreditations Affiliations Organization Medical Forensic Labs Operations Public Services Administration MENU Our website has a new URL: me.lacounty.gov. Make sure to bookmark the new address. Welcome The ’s website is where you can learn about the department, your case, the services we provide and more. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROCESS Our Mission Using forensic science to provide independent death investigation for communities and public health & safety, as well as reduce preventable deaths. LEARN MORECase Search Unidentified Persons Case Search Provide full or partial search input using the following fields: First Name Last Name Date of Birth Age Date of Death Case Number Search Reset Unidentified Persons Leave search fields blank to list all persons or enter input to narrow results: Case Number Select Gender - Male Female Select Ethnicity - Asian Black/African American Hispanic/Latino Native American Indian Some Other Race White Date Found Search Reset FAQs Families Forensic Labs Forms Case Search Grief Resources Online Services Work with Us News And Announcements March 21, 2024 Transportation, Storage Fees Waived as Part of a Pilot Program at the Department of Transportation, Storage Fees Waived as Part of a Pilot Program at the Department of https://me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_4589-1024x768.jpg 1024 768 //me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Option4.png March 21, 2024 March 21, 2024 March 21, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of (DME) is waiving the $400 transportation… February 29, 2024 The Department of Announces New Email Addresses, Website URL and Position Titles to Reflect New Department Name The Department of Announces New Email Addresses, Website URL and Position Titles to Reflect New Department Name https://me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1104A-1024x610.jpg 1024 610 //me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Option4.png February 29, 2024 February 29, 2024 February 29, 2024 – The Department of (DME) is pleased to announce the official completion of the transition… December 6, 2023 Department of Discovers Pattern of Unhoused Targeted in Murder Cases Department of Discovers Pattern of Unhoused Targeted in Murder Cases https://me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WhiteSeal_BlueBackground1.png 972 682 //me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Option4.png December 6, 2023 December 6, 2023 December 6, 2023 – On Thursday, Nov. 30, medical examiners at the Department of (DME) noticed a… June 28, 2023 New Name, Same Great Service: County of Los Angeles Department of -Coroner Drops Coroner” from Official Name; Department Seal, Position Titles Updated New Name, Same Great Service: County of Los Angeles Department of -Coroner Drops Coroner” from Official Name; Department Seal, Position Titles Updated https://me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Press-Release-Photo-Name-Change.png 940 788 //me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Option4.png June 28, 2023 June 28, 2023 June 28, 2023 – The County of Los Angeles Department of -Coroner will now be called the County… March 7, 2023 Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief -Coroner Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief -Coroner https://me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/odey-ukpo-1024x577.jpg 1024 577 //me.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Option4.png March 7, 2023 March 7, 2023 Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief -Coroner On March 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors… See More News Contact Information 1104 N. Mission Road Los Angeles, CA 90033 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm (323) 343-0512 After Business Hours: (323) 343-0714 Enriching lives . . . . DO YOU NEED HELP? 211 LA County LA County Helps Public Alerts SITE INFO Tell Us What You Think Accessibility Disclaimer Language Privacy Policy GENERAL Feedback Department Information Grief Self-Care Information Sheriff’s Office Public Health POPULAR LINKS Biohazard Cleanup License Verification - Cemetery and Funeral Bureau Safe Sleep for Baby NAMUS YDDVP Adobe Reader © 2018 County of Los Angeles Glossary of Terms Autopsy also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy (particularly as to non-human bodies), autopsia cadaverum, or obduction — is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist. Biological specimens blood, sections of organs, vitreous, bile, and urine. Cause of death an injury or disease that ultimately leads to death of the individual, generally determined by medical examiners or coroners. Certificate of Religious Belief in California, in order to execute a certificate of religious belief, a person must be 18 years of age or older and must state in clear and unambiguous language that any postmortem anatomical dissection or that specified procedures would violate the religious convictions of the person. The certificate must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of at least two witnesses. Each witness must also sign the certificate and must print on the certificate his or her name and residence address. California law allows the state to override religious objection if the coroner "has a reasonable suspicion that the death was caused by the criminal act of another or by a contagious disease constituting a public health hazard." Chain of custody a method of keeping track of who has handled a piece of evidence and when. County Disposition The County of Los Angeles will cremate the remains of a decedent and hold the cremains (ashes) for a period of time (about 3 years) before the ashes are interred in a common gravesite at the LA County Cemetery. Decomposition the disintegration of body tissues after death. DME Department of Evidence any physical items such as bullets, hairs, fibers, biological fluids, etc., documents and statements that are included in a legal investigation for the jury’s or judge’s consideration in the determination of an individual’s guilt or innocence. Forensic pathologist A medical doctor who specializes in the sub-specialty of pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions. Forensic Science Forensic Science is the application of all forms of science to aid legal investigations. Indigency The lack of ability to pay as a legal reason for having certain required fees waived; being declared eligible for free services. Manner of death is how the death came about. Natural - due entirely (or nearly so) to natural disease processes. Homicide - due to a volitional act of another person. Suicide - due to injury that occurred with the intent to induce self-harm or cause one’s own death. Accident - due to injury when there is no evidence of intent to harm. Undetermined - inadequate information regarding the circumstances of death to determine manner; example: individual found unconscious with massive subdural hemorrhage; in the absence of information on the events leading up to death, it is impossible to determine if the hemorrhage is due to accidental fall, homicidal violence, etc. Medical examiner is a medically...