1003 - NEXT-OF KIN
1003.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Notifying a decedent's legal next-of-kin of the death is a core duty of the Coroner set forth by Government Code 27491. This policy serves to establish rules and guidelines for the Deputy Coroner in the performance of next-of-kin searches, notifications, and making determinations as to legal status.
1003.2 PROMPT NOTIFICATIONS
Following a positive identification, the Deputy Coroner's efforts to locate and notify a decedent's next-of- kin shall begin immediately.
- When investigating the death of an unidentified person where a tentative identification is available, next-of-kin may be notified if they are needed to assist the Deputy Coroner by providing information that may lead to positive identification.
- Examples include providing the Deputy Coroner with dental x-rays or DNA samples.
- In these cases the Deputy Coroner shall inform next-of-kin that identification is not yet confirmed.
1003.3 NEXT OF KIN SEARCH
When a decedent's next-of-kin is not immediately known, the Deputy Coroner shall initiate a search for that next-of-kin using any, and all, available resources. The Deputy Coroner shall document his/her efforts in the Coroner Investigator's written report. When all possible leads have been exhausted and next-of-kin remains unknown, the Deputy Coroner should refer the case to the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department Assistant Public Administrator.
1003.4 NOTIFICATION APPROACHES
Death notifications should be performed in-person whenever case circumstances permit. If the apparent next-of-kin resides outside of Hartwell County jurisdiction, the Deputy Coroner may contact the local law enforcement agency or Coroner/Medical Examiner to request assistance with an in-person death notification. If the Deputy Coroner determines that the need for an expeditious notification outweighs the need for an in-person delivery, or if the in-person notification attempt was unsuccessful, notification may be completed using other methods.
1003.4.1 CONTACTING NEXT-OF-KIN VIA MAIL OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
Occasionally, both in-person and telephone notification attempts are unsuccessful. In cases where both methods have been attempted, and the Deputy Coroner identifies an opportunity to contact the next-of- kin by mail or electronic communication, the Deputy Coroner may send the Coroner Division's approved message to the intended party, directing him/her to contact the Coroner Division in reference to the decedent.
1003.5 IN-PERSON DEATH NOTIFICATIONS
The Deputy Coroner may request the assistance of a law enforcement officer or second Deputy Coroner when performing an in-person notification. The Deputy Coroner shall also notify the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department dispatch center of their location and intent to make the notification.
1003.6 ESTABLISHING NEXT-OF-KIN STATUS
Following the initial notification to potential next-of-kin, the Deputy Coroner shall query their relationship to the decedent in order to establish their legal authority. Kin status shall be decided pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 7100.
- A search for next-of-kin must continue until the highest priority surviving relative is located and notified or all reasonable efforts to locate such person have been exhausted. Field Responses