Title 16, COUNTIES

(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) 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…

(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 …

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 und…

(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 prof…

(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 inq…

(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 …

(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 manne…

(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: (…

(a) Inquiry.--An investigation conducted by a coroner in this Commonwealth shall include an inquiry to determine whether the death of the deceased individual was a direct result of a seizure or epilepsy. (b) Duties of coroner.--If the findings of the investigation under subsectio…

(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…

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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…

(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 unknow…

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.

(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 …

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 suspect…

(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 …

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).

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 ter…

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…

(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…

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 n…