Responsibilities

The County Coroner of Lawrence County is responsible for conducting death investigations within the county to determine the cause and manner of death when a person dies under sudden, unexpected, violent, or suspicious circumstances. The Coroner acts as a key official in the county’s medicolegal system and works in coordination with law enforcement, medical personnel, and the Arkansas State Crime Lab.

Key responsibilities include:

• Responding to and investigating deaths that occur outside of a hospital or medical setting, or those not attended by a physician
• Determining whether an autopsy or toxicology testing is necessary, and arranging those procedures with the State Medical Examiner’s Office
• Issuing coroner’s reports and certifying the manner of death for official records
• Notifying the next of kin and facilitating the release of remains to funeral homes
• Maintaining detailed and confidential records of all cases investigated
• Participating in mass fatality planning, emergency response coordination, and death scene protocol training

While the Coroner is not required to be a physician, they are required by law to undergo training and certification through the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. The Coroner plays a crucial role in protecting public health, preserving legal evidence, and ensuring that all deaths under their jurisdiction are fully and fairly examined.

Legal Authority:
Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 14-15-301 through 14-15-308
Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 12-75-129 (Emergency Response Role)
Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 20-18-601 (Death Certificate Procedures)
Training Requirements: A.C.A. § 14-15-302(c)