Death Investigation Services

The Medical Examiner's Office provides death investigation services to the Portland metropolitan area. Autopsies are performed by qualified pathologists retained by the state medical examiner.

Deaths Requiring Investigation

Deaths that require investigation are defined by state law in ORS 146.090:

(1) The medical examiner shall investigate and certify the cause and manner of all human deaths: (a) Apparently homicidal, suicidal or occurring under suspicious or unknown circumstances; (b) Resulting from the unlawful use of controlled substances or the use or abuse of chemicals or toxic agents; (c) Occurring while incarcerated in any jail, correction facility or in police custody; (d) Apparently accidental or following an injury; (e) By disease, injury or toxic agent during or arising from employment; (f) While not under the care of a physician during the period immediately previous to death; (g) Related to disease which might constitute a threat to the public health; or (h) 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 6 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.