Duties

• Perform independent investigations into traumatic deaths, deaths that occur outside of hospitals and deaths that occur suddenly or unexpectedly
• Notify families when unexpected deaths occur, such as in traffic fatalities or homicides
• Make positive identification of individuals who have died
• Create reports that relate to deaths investigated by the Office
• Issue burial transit permits for individuals who have died outside of a hospital
• Provide autopsy and Coroner's reports to agencies and next of kin
• Make the final determination as to the manner of death
• Release personal effects to the next of kin
• Act as the central depository for all records relative to a death, including the Coroner's Report, Autopsy Report, police investigative reports and any other investigative agencies' reports Maintain the County Coroner's Book of Inquisitions
• Conduct inquests
• Issue cremation permits
• Participate as a member of the Charleston County Disaster Preparedness Team