Professional:

• Karen L. Gunson, M.D. - State Medical Examiner
• Larry V. Lewman, M.D. - Deputy State Medical Examiner
• Clifford C. Nelson, M.D. - Deputy State Medical Examiner
• Christopher Young, M.D. - Deputy State Medical Examiner

Administrative:

• Eugene S. "Geno" Gray - Forensic Administrator

Investigative:

• Duane L. Bigoni - Deputy Medical Examiner
• Patrick T. Chamberlain - Deputy Medical Examiner
• Pete Bellant - Deputy Medical Examiner
• Erin S. Patrick - Deputy Medical Examiner
• Thomas Chappelle - Deputy Medical Examiner
• Damon O’Brien - Deputy Medical Examiner
• Jeff McLennan - Deputy Medical Examiner

Pathology Assistants:

• H. Alan Wise - Pathology Assistant
• Deborah Cho - Pathology Assistant
• Kelsey Evans - Pathology Assistant

Clerical Staff:

• Shana Aiviolotis
• James Anderson

Medical Examiner's Office

13309 SE 84th Ave.
Suite 100
Clackamas, OR 97015

971-673-8220 (Office)
971-673-8200 (State Office)
971-673-8321 (FAX)

The function of the county medical examiner is one of death investigation. Autopsies are performed by qualified pathologists retained by the state medical examiner. Some charter counties have a medical examiner who not only handles all of the same functions as the medical examiner but also performs autopsies. In fourth-class counties and below, the prosecuting attorney serves as the medical examiner.

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 146.090) specifies deaths which require investigation:

• Apparently homicidal, suicidal or occurring under suspicious or unknown circumstances;
• Resulting from the unlawful use of controlled substances or the use or abuse of chemicals or toxic agents;
• Occurring while incarcerated in any jail, correction facility or in police custody;
• Apparently accidental or following an injury;
• By disease, injury or toxic agent during or arising from employment;
• While not under the care of a physician during the period immediately previous to death;
• Related to disease which might constitute a threat to the public health; or
• In which a human body apparently has been disposed of in an offensive manner.

The medical examiner is responsible for determining the reason why a death has occurred, by discovering whether the death resulted from natural causes, an accident, or the actions of the decedent or another person. The surrounding circumstances are investigated and a pathologist is often retained to perform an autopsy. The medical examiner may also determine who caused the death, and if it resulted through criminal means, by conducting an inquest where a jury of six citizens is summoned to hear evidence and render a verdict. The medical examiner has the power to subpoena witnesses who may have knowledge of the facts of the death to appear at the inquest to aid the jury in reaching a verdict.

A death certificate is a permanent record of facts about the decedent. It provides important information about the individual such as age, sex, race, date of death, his or her parents, name of spouse if married, information about circumstances and cause of death, and the date and place of interment. This data is used in the application for insurance benefits, settlement of pension claims, transfer of title for real and personal property, and other general legal uses. The certificate is also used as evidence when a question about a death arises. Statistical information from these certificates helps define problems and the data obtained is a necessary foundation on which to base effective public health programs. The medical examiner's principal responsibility in death registration is to complete the medical portion of the death certificate. This includes the place, date, time and legal pronouncement of death; whether an autopsy was performed; and if the death was an accident, homicide, suicide or from undetermined causes.

The medical examiner also has certain other duties. These include:

• Location and notification of next of kin
• Disposition of the deceased person's body
• Custody of money and property found on the body of the deceased
• Preparation of reports to governmental agencies

Money and property are turned over to the rightful heirs. When relatives cannot be located, the medical examiner deposits money or proceeds from the sale of property with the county treasurer. Duplicate lists of all personal property are made. Blood samples are taken from all traffic fatalities to determine the blood alcohol content. The blood samples are sent to the State Toxicology Laboratory for analysis. While not a common occurrence, the county medical examiner is authorized by law to serve as county sheriff, under certain circumstances. The medical examiner may also serve subpoenas on the sheriff or sheriff's deputies.

The individuals and agencies involved in the death investigation process are numerous. A few of the "major players" are county medical examiners; local, state and federal law enforcement officers; various state and federal departments, including the Department of Labor and Industries, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Immigration Department and the Federal Aviation Agency; a variety of medical personnel, including physicians, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, nurses and hospital staff; individuals involved in the criminal justice system, including prosecutors and the defendant in an investigation; the deceased's next of kin; the insurance industry; the funeral industry; and the media.

The medical examiner recognizes a special responsibility to the people of the county in providing the first level of support essential to survivors in the grieving process. It is the medical examiner's duty to help families of the deceased find counseling and other support systems available to help them through the health care community.

Updated: March 14, 2000