Coroner FAQ's

Under the Ohio Law (ORC 2108.52), the coroner does not require permission from the legal next of kin for an autopsy. The coroner will make every attempt to comply with the wishes of the legal next of kin as long as it does not conflict with the responsibilities of the coroner by Ohio Laws.

Since Clinton County does not have a county morgue, we contract with Montgomery County Crime Lab in Dayton, Ohio. 

The remains of the decedent is brought to the coroner’s office because Ohio Law requires the coroner to investigate the death of a person who has died from a criminal violence, by accident, suicide, suddenly, when unattended by a physician for a long period of time or in any unusual manner that is not natural. A body may also be brought to the coroner’s office because the identity of the deceased is unknown. 

If the death is not deemed a coroner case, you may request a private autopsy performed at your expense. Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and The Ohio State Medical Center perform private autopsies. Cost range from $1,800 - $2,900*, this does not include transportation to their facilities.*Rates are subject to change.

After the autopsy is completed, the body may be released to the funeral home of your choice. Any clothing and jewelry are transported with them to the funeral home. Other belongings may be taken as evidence by the coroner’s office. Those items may later be released to the family unless they are needed as evidence. In cases where there may be a large amount of cash or valuables, the family may need to pick the items up from the probate court in their county.

A Pending Death Certificate may be issued a few days after the death has occurred. Most insurance companies will not accept this until the “second” or Supplemental Death Certificated is issued. A Supplemental Death Certificate is issued after the autopsy, toxicology results are received, and the County Coroner has ruled on the case. The death certificate is filed with the local health department. Most funeral homes provide the family with a few copies of the death certificate. Additional copies of the Supplemental Death Certificate may be purchased through the Clinton County Public Health Department, Office of Vital Statistics, located at 111 S. Nelson Avenue, Wilmington, Ohio 45177. Their office telephone number is 937-382-3829.

You can fill out the Request for Autopsy Report Form online, and we will mail it to you.