16 Pa.C.S. Ch. 139

16 Pa.C.S. Ch. 139
in effect

16 Pa.C.S. § 13901 Applicability.

Except as otherwise expressly provided under this chapter, this chapter shall apply to counties of the second class, second class A and third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13902 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Autopsy." The external and internal examination of the body of a deceased individual, including all of the following: (1) Gross visual inspection and dissection of the body and the body's internal organs. (2) Photographic or narrative documentation of findings, including microscopic, radiological, toxicological, chemical, magnetic resonance imaging or other laboratory analysis performed upon tissues, organs, blood, other bodily fluids, gases or other specimens. (3) The retention for diagnostic and documentary purposes of all of the following which are necessary to establish and defend against challenges to the cause and manner of death of the deceased individual: (i) Tissues, organs, blood, other bodily fluids or gases. (ii) Any other specimen. "Coroner." An elected or appointed coroner or an elected or appointed medical examiner. "Staff." The term includes an individual in the coroner's office who engages in activities relating to death investigation. The term includes a medical investigator, forensic technician, laboratory director, forensic supervisor, forensic investigator, scientist or autopsy or histology technician.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13911 Deputies.

The coroner may appoint a deputy to act in the coroner's place and may appoint staff to positions established in accordance with section 14723 (relating to number and compensation of officers, deputies, assistants, clerks and employees and revisions of salary schedules) as the coroner determines. A deputy shall have the same powers as the coroner.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13912 Duties regarding county morgues.

(a) Coroner.--The coroner of a county in which a county morgue is established shall have the following duties: (1) Make general rules and regulations for the morgue's operation and control. (2) Appoint a suitable individual in charge of the morgue. An individual appointed under this paragraph may be removed at the pleasure of the coroner. (b) Salary board.--The salary board shall determine the number of individuals appointed under subsection (a)(2) and each individual's salary.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13913 Removal of bodies to morgue.

(a) Unidentified or unclaimed body.--If the body of a deceased individual is unidentified or unclaimed by a proper individual located within the county, the body shall be removed to the county morgue or, in a county of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class, to a facility serving in lieu of the county morgue. If necessary, the coroner shall have the body properly embalmed or prepared for preservation for the length of time the coroner determines is required to determine the deceased's identity, the identity of a party responsible for the deceased and the cause and manner of death. The body may only be examined or inspected by an individual authorized by the coroner or who is admitted in the coroner's presence. (b) Removal from morgue.--A body may not be removed from a morgue except upon the authorization of the coroner.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13914 Removal of body, burial and vehicle.

(a) Removal and burial.--The county commissioners shall, in consultation with the coroner, provide for the removal of a body of a deceased individual to and from the morgue and for the burial of an unclaimed body. (b) Vehicle.--The county commissioners may provide an ambulance or other vehicle for the purpose under subsection (a) and for other official duties of the coroner, including administrative, investigative or educational activities. The coroner may provide rules and regulations for the use and maintenance of the ambulance or other vehicle.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13915 Unclaimed property and sales.

(a) Duties.--The coroner shall safely keep all of the following in the coroner's charge: (1) The personal effects and property that appear to have been on or about the individual at the time of death or have been found on a decedent whose body is received at the county morgue or at any other facility serving in lieu of the county morgue. (2) The effects and property that are delivered to the coroner according to law. (b) Required holding period.--The coroner shall hold the property for one year, unless the property is claimed by a legal representative of the deceased or is duly and lawfully disposed of or claimed. (c) Property unclaimed.--After one year, the coroner shall direct the unclaimed or undisposed property to the county commissioners to be sold at public sale. Money and property as security that may not be subject to a public sale shall be turned over to the county commissioners for proper disposition or use. (d) Notice.--Notice of a public sale under subsection (c) shall be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for three successive weeks. The proceeds of each sale shall be paid immediately into the county treasury. The provisions of this subsection shall be in lieu of escheating to the Commonwealth. Cross References. Section 13915 is referred to in section 13951 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13916 Private morgue.

In a county of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class in which a county morgue is not maintained, the coroner may have a body that the coroner may admit to a county morgue removed to a private facility. The county commissioners shall procure by contract, as under Chapter 151 (relating to contracts), the use of a private facility in consultation with the coroner.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13917 Requests for examinations and reports.

(a) Requests.--A request for an examination or other professional service by another county or person may be complied with at the discretion of the coroner under guidelines established by the county commissioners. (b) Fees and charges.--A fee and charge for an examination or professional service shall be established by the coroner, subject to approval by the county commissioners, and shall be accounted for and paid to the county treasurer as provided under section 14960 (relating to receipts and accounts of money due county). Payment for an examination or professional service shall be the responsibility of the county or person requesting the service.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13918 Coroner's investigation.

(a) Duties.--The coroner having a view of the body shall investigate the facts and circumstances concerning a death that appears to have happened within the county, notwithstanding where the cause of the death may have occurred, for the purpose of determining if an autopsy or inquest should be conducted in the following cases: (1) A sudden death not caused by a readily recognizable disease or, if the cause of death cannot be properly certified, by a physician on the basis of prior recent medical attendance. (2) A death occurring under suspicious circumstances, including if alcohol, a drug or another toxic substance may have had a direct bearing on the outcome. (3) A death occurring as a result of violence or trauma, whether apparently homicidal, suicidal or accidental, including a death due to mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical or radiational injury, drowning, cave-in or subsidence. (4) A death in which trauma, chemical injury, drug overdose or reaction to a drug or medication or medical treatment was a primary or secondary, direct or indirect, contributory, aggravating or precipitating cause of death. (5) A perioperative death in which the death is not readily explainable on the basis of prior disease. (6) A death in which the body is unidentified or unclaimed. (7) A death known or suspected to be due to contagious disease and constituting a public hazard. (8) A death occurring in prison or a penal institution or while in the custody of the police. (9) A death of an individual whose body is to be cremated, buried at sea or otherwise disposed of so as to be unavailable for examination. (10) A sudden and unexplained infant death. (11) A stillbirth. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of an investigation under subsection (a) shall be to determine all of the following: (1) The cause and manner of the death. (2) If there is sufficient reason for the coroner to believe that the death may have resulted from a criminal act or criminal neglect of an individual other than the deceased. (c) Requirements.--As part of an investigation under subsection (a), the coroner shall determine the identity of the deceased and notify the next of kin of the deceased.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13919 Autopsy, inquest and records.

(a) Autopsy.--If, after investigation, the coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death, the coroner shall perform or order an autopsy on the body. (b) Inquest.--If the coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death following an autopsy, the coroner may conduct an inquest upon a view of the body as provided by law. At the inquest, the coroner shall have the following duties: (1) Ascertain the cause of death. (2) Determine if an individual other than the deceased was criminally responsible by act or neglect and the identity of the individual who may be responsible. (3) Examine further evidence and witnesses regarding the cause of death. (c) Recording.--The proceedings at the inquest shall be recorded, at the expense of the county, in a manner to be provided by the county commissioners. (d) Retention and disposal.-- (1) The coroner may retain a deoxyribonucleic acid specimen for diagnostic, evidentiary or confirmatory purposes. (2) Retained tissue, organs, blood, other bodily fluid, gas or another specimen from an autopsy are medical waste and shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws. (e) Liability.--A coroner who, in good faith, orders or performs a medical examination or autopsy under statutory authority shall be immune from civil liability for damages for ordering or performing the examination or autopsy.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13920 Child deaths.

(a) Duties.--A coroner shall perform or order an autopsy to be conducted for the sudden unexplained death of a child who is not more than three years of age. If an autopsy is required, the autopsy shall be conducted in the manner the coroner determines is the least invasive manner appropriate. (b) Investigation.-- (1) If the coroner determines that an investigation is appropriate in the case of the death of a child who is not more than three years of age, the investigation shall include the following information: (i) Demographic information on the child and the child's primary caregivers. (ii) Witness interviews. (iii) Infant medical history. (iv) Biological mother's prenatal history. (v) Incident scene investigation. (vi) Scene and body diagrams. (2) In conducting the investigation under paragraph (1), the coroner shall consider nationally recognized standards for pediatric death review. (c) Deoxyribonucleic acid.--A deoxyribonucleic acid sample shall be collected for the purpose of aiding in the research of the causes of sudden and unexplained infant deaths and to provide genetic information as to the manner of death.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13921 Sudden death.

(a) Recognition.--The coroner shall recognize a death as sudden if all of the following apply: (1) The death occurs without prior medical attendance by an individual who may lawfully execute a certificate of death in this Commonwealth. (2) Within 24 hours of death the decedent: (i) was discharged from medical attendance; (ii) had a change of medical attendance occur; or (iii) had medical attendance and the medical attendant refuses or is unable to certify the cause of death. (b) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the coroner's discretion in determining if a death is suspicious or to authorize a coroner to investigate a sudden death further than necessary to determine the cause and manner of death. (c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "medical attendance" shall include treatment or care at a facility providing medical services, including a hospital, nursing home and hospice service.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13922 Prohibition on moving a body.

(a) Moving a body.--Except as provided under subsection (b), if a coroner has jurisdiction to investigate the facts and circumstances of death, the body and the surroundings of the body shall be left untouched until either of the following occurs: (1) The coroner has conducted an initial investigation of the scene of death, including viewing and photographing the scene in the manner that most fully discloses how the individual died. (2) The coroner directs or authorizes the touching of the body and the surroundings of the body except as provided by law or as circumstances may require. (b) Exception.--A body on a public thoroughfare or other place may be moved if necessary for the administration of emergency care and as a precaution against a traffic accident or another serious consequence that may reasonably be anticipated if the body was left in place. The removal of the body shall be done in a manner as to not substantially destroy or alter possible evidence.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13923 Release of coroner's jurisdiction.

If a coroner assumes jurisdiction of a body under the provisions of this chapter or any other law, the body may not be released or removed from the coroner's jurisdiction except upon the coroner's directions and consent in accordance with law.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13924 Cooperation with district attorney.

In the exercise of duties under this chapter, the coroner shall consult with and advise the district attorney as may be practicable. The district attorney may act as counsel to the coroner in matters relating to inquests.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13925 Cooperation with other counties.

If one or more coroners deem it necessary to establish a facility for conducting forensic testing and autopsies, a county may establish and operate the facility.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13926 Certificate of cause of death.

A coroner shall issue a certificate of cause of death in each case: (1) referred to the coroner by the local registrar of vital statistics under the act of June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics Law of 1953; or (2) in which the coroner has jurisdiction and no individual duly authorized by law certifies the cause of death.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13927 Subpoena and attachment.

The coroner may issue a subpoena and attachment, which shall be served and executed by the sheriff, coroner or coroner's deputy, for the following purposes: (1) A death investigation. (2) To obtain the attendance of an individual who may be necessary to examine as a witness at an inquest. (3) To compel attendance by attachment in a similar manner and extent as a court of common pleas may do in a case pending before the court. (4) To compel the production of any of the following: (i) A paper. (ii) A document in any form or media, including a medical and mental health record. (iii) Another object relative to the investigation or inquest.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13928 Jury.

(a) Jury.--The coroner may summon a jury of six individuals and two alternates to be selected from the jury panels of the court of common pleas. (b) Function.--The function of the jury shall be to determine the manner of death and if a criminal act or neglect of a known or unknown individual caused the death. The jury shall be paid as provided by law in the same manner as jury members serving the court of common pleas.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13929 Oaths.

The coroner may administer an oath and affirmation to an individual brought or appearing before the coroner. An individual who falsely swears or affirms during the examination commits perjury.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13930 Commitment to county prison.

(a) Warrant.--An individual may be committed by a coroner to the county jail by warrant directed to the sheriff or a constable of the county if while appearing before the coroner for examination the individual refuses to: (1) take an oath or affirmation; or (2) answer a question asked by the coroner on the matter of the inquest after having been sworn or affirmed. (b) Case required.--A warrant issued under subsection (a) shall specifically set forth the cause of the commitment to county jail. (c) Length.--The individual shall remain committed to county jail until the individual submits to be sworn or affirmed, answers the questions of the coroner or is otherwise legally discharged.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13931 Excluded individuals.

The following apply: (1) In counties of the second, second A, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class, the coroner may admit or exclude any of the following: (i) A member of the public from an inquest or a part of an inquest. (ii) An individual interested or suspected from the inquest or a part of an inquest. (2) An excluded individual may not appear by attorney. (3) An individual required to attend may have counsel at the attendance. (4) In counties of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class, representatives of the media may not be excluded from an inquest or part of an inquest unless the representatives are personally interested or suspected from the inquest or part of the inquest.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13932 Vacancy.

(a) Removal, death or resignation.--If a coroner is legally removed from office, dies or resigns before the expiration of the term for which the coroner was elected or appointed, the chief deputy coroner shall execute the office of coroner, perform related duties and receive and retain the compensation provided by law for the coroner until another coroner is appointed. (b) Neglect or refusal.--Except as otherwise provided under subsections (d) and (e), if an individual who is elected to the office of coroner neglects or refuses, for the two months after the election, to assume the duties of the office and to comply with the requirements of the law, the office shall be deemed vacant. The Governor shall notify the recorder of deeds and appoint and commission a suitable individual to fill the vacancy during the remainder of the term. (c) Fees.--A fee may not be charged on a commission issued to the coroner under subsection (b). (d) Exception in certain counties.--In counties of the second class A, the appointee of the Governor shall serve until the first Monday of January next succeeding the first municipal election which occurs at least two months after the vacancy, at which time a new coroner shall be elected. The appointee shall be confirmed by the Senate if the Senate is in session. (e) Medical examiner.--In counties of the second class, the appointee to the office of medical examiner shall serve and the term of office shall be as provided by county ordinance.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13933 Anatomical gifts.

The coroner may order the removal of parts of a decedent's body for donation purposes in accordance with 20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 86 (relating to anatomical gifts).

16 Pa.C.S. § 13934 Execution of office.

An individual elected or appointed to the office of coroner may not execute any of the duties of the office before a commission has been issued to the coroner by the Governor and properly recorded. An individual who violates this section may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months. The individual shall be liable to a person injured by an act done by the individual under authority of the office.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13935 Records.

In counties of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes, every coroner, within 30 days after the end of each year, shall deposit all official records and papers for the preceding year in the office of the prothonotary for the inspection of interested members of the public.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13951 Disposition costs.

(a) Cost of disposition.--If a legal representative makes a claim to property after disposition of the deceased has occurred at county expense, any property retained from the deceased by the coroner in accordance with section 13915 (relating to unclaimed property and sales) shall be subject to sale to cover the cost of disposition with the balance, if any, going to the legal representatives. No property shall be sold under this subsection unless the coroner has provided written notice to the representative of all of the following: (1) The costs of disposition. (2) A list of the property held in accordance with section 13915. (3) An opportunity to pay the costs of disposition within 60 days of the notice. (b) Costs of securing.--If the coroner secures the premises of the deceased, the costs of securing the premises may be charged against the estate of the deceased. (c) Civil liability.--A coroner who reasonably attempts to secure or safeguard any real property where the deceased is found and any personal property on or around the deceased is immune from civil liability for damage to or loss of the property or its contents.

16 Pa.C.S. § 13952 Fees for reports.

The coroner shall charge and collect a fee of $500 for an autopsy report, $100 for a toxicology report, $100 for an inquisition or coroner's report, $50 for a cremation or disposition authorization and other fees as may be established for other reports or documents requested by nongovernmental agencies in order to investigate a claim asserted under a policy of insurance or to determine liability for the death of the deceased. The fees collected under this section shall be accounted for and paid to the county treasurer in accordance with section 14960 (relating to receipts and accounts of money due county) and shall be used to defray the expenses involved in the county complying with the training of coroners or coroner office personnel, as may be required or authorized under this part or any other act.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=16Fetched: 10/16/2026