SALUDA COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE
Mission Statement
To serve the people of Saluda County with professionalism and integrity while upholding our commitment to determine the cause and manner of death in a dignified manner while maintaining respect for the family.
How We Serve
The Coroner is a county official who is elected to serve a four-year term.
The Coroner is the “Chief Death Investigator” of the county and has jurisdiction over all deaths occurring in the county. We work and are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office main duties are to determine the cause and manner of death of every fatality in Saluda County. The Coroner must investigate each death and determine the circumstances whether it be suspicious, violent, or sudden. Certain deaths occurring from natural causes must also be investigated, along with deaths occurring less than 24 hours after admission to a hospital or emergency room. The Coroner signs death certificates, issues burial removal permits, issues cremation permits and makes death notifications for other counties.
The Coroner must ensure the scene of a death and all evidence is preserved; determine through the investigation whether the death was from natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal, or of undetermined causes. This investigation will include but not be limited to the body being thoroughly examined and consideration of the surroundings of the scene. The Coroner coordinates the investigation often involving multiple investigative agencies such as law enforcement, as well as experts from pathology, anthropology, toxicology, odontology, entomology, trace evidence collection, and other forensic specialties will assist as appropriate in the process. The Coroner determines when an autopsy is needed and, in most cases, is present at the autopsy. It is the Coroner’s responsibility to ensure that all personal belongings of the decedent are protected on scene and returned to the family. The Coroner is responsible for notifying the relatives and/or loved ones of the unfortunate death and does this in person when at all possible. After the initial investigation, the body of the deceased will be released for the next of kin to make final arrangements. When investigations are completed, the Coroner’s Office continues to be a resource to the families for as long as needed during their difficult times. Each staff member of the Coroner’s Office works to make sure this process is accomplished with professionalism and compassion.
History of Coroners in SC
The King of England appointed the first Coroner of South Carolina by relocating him from England to Charleston. Until 1706, the only Coroner in the colony lived in Charleston. Beginning in 1785, Justices of the County Court selected the Coroners who were commissioned by the Governor for two-year terms. Since 1868, and in accordance with the S.C. Constitution, each of the state's 46 counties have elected a Coroner to four-year terms
Links
SC Coroner’s Association
American Medicolegal Death Investigators
Sharing Hope of SC