Coroner

Mission Statement

The Bucks County Coroner's office is an independent agency serving the citizens and honoring the deceased of the county by investigating the facts and circumstances of death which have occurred within Bucks County. We determine the cause and manner of death, the identity of the decedent, and provide notification to the legal next of kin while exhibiting the highest degree of compassion, professionalism, and integrity.

Coroner's Duties & Responsibilities

The Coroner oversees all Bucks County forensic services. The Bucks County Forensic Facility, a state-of-the-art facility, houses the County Morgue. Current scientific methods for evidence analysis and investigations are used to effectively assist law enforcement, judicial court systems and health and environmental agencies. A variety of modern medicolegal investigative techniques, including an autopsy, when indicated, to establish the medical cause of death and the medicolegal manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, suicide or undetermined).

The Bucks County Coroner's chief duty is to investigate all sudden, unexplained, unusual, or violent deaths occurring within Bucks County. The Bucks County Coroner's Office (BCCO) operates pursuant to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law. It investigates and certifies all deaths that are not caused by natural disease or cannot be properly certified by a PA licensed physician based on prior medical attendance.

If the cause of death cannot be otherwise determined, an inquest and an autopsy will be ordered. In cases of death which might have resulted from a criminal act or neglect, the coroner conducts an inquest and calls witnesses as a sitting magistrate to find criminal negligence or intent. If criminal intent is found, the case is then bound over to the Court of Common Pleas.