Medical Examiners, Office of the State
Mission
To determine both the cause and manner of death.
What we do
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Assume jurisdiction over deaths due to or suspected of being due to:
- Infectious disease or suspected infectious diseases that may represent a bio-terrorism event or emerging infection;
- Natural, nuclear, biological, chemical or other mass casualty event;
- Homicidal, suicidal, accidental or undetermined causes.
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Work in conjunction with investigating agencies, federal agencies and other ancillary personnel, and the family assistance center to:
- Recover and identify the decedents;
- Screen deaths for public health significance and determine the cause of death;
- Support families;
- Issue death certificates and review death certificates prior to cremation;
- Approve organ/tissue for donation.
Rhode Island Department of Health