A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN

ADA COUNTY DEPUTY CORONER

The Ada County Deputy Coroners respond to many different types of death - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  These deputies cover the entire Ada County which includes investigations in the cities of Boise, Meridian, Kuna, Eagle and the surrounding rural areas.   The following pictorial journal is a sample of one deputy's day at the Ada County Coroner's Office.  This office investigates approximately 2300 cases per year.

                          DEPUTY TOM HOWELL TAKES                              ARRIVING AT THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY 

                     A CALL FROM ADA COUNTY DISPATCH.                      ROOM FOR A TRAUMA RELATED DEATH.

                    REVIEWING RECORDS IN THE ER TRAUMA BAY.                       COLLECTING ADMISSION

                                                                                                                   BLOOD FROM THE HOSPITAL LAB.

                     SERVING A REQUEST FOR MEDICAL RECORDS.                      TALKING WITH HOSPITAL

                                                                                                                   SECURITY TO ENTER MORGUE.

                     INVESTIGATING A HOME DEATH.                                  REMOVAL OF BODY FROM HOME DEATH.

                 ADA COUNTY CORONER'S RECEIVING BAY.               UNLOADING A BODY AT THE RECEIVING BAY.

                BODIES ARE WEIGHED BEFORE LOGGING IN.                            ALL BODIES ARE FINGERPRINTED.

                 WRIST ID BANDS ARE PLACED ON BODIES.        TRANSFER OF BODY FROM COT TO MORGUE TABLE.

               MOVING BODY INTO REFRIGERATION HOLD.                       PLACING BODY IN REFRIGERATION.

                   ENTERING CASE INFORMATION - WRITING                      DEPUTY JEANNE PEPALIS PREPARES                                         NARRATIVE - TALKING WITH PHYSICIANS.          PHARMACOLGY REPORT - COUNTS MEDICATIONS.

OTHER DUTIES PERFORMED BY DEPUTIES:

*NOTIFICATION OF DEATH TO NEXT OF KIN   *TALKING WITH FAMILIES  

*WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT   *COLLECTING FORENSIC EVIDENCE ON SCENE   

*CONTACTING FUNERAL HOMES   *PERFORMING BODY INSPECTIONS/EXAMINATIONS  

*PHOTOGRAPH DEATH SCENE  *SECURE PERSONAL PROPERTY & PRIVATE RESIDENCE   *BLOOD DRAWS   *ACQUIRE ALL MEDICAL RECORDS   *PERFORM DEATH NOTIFICATIONS FOR OUT OF COUNTY AND OTHER STATES

DEPUTY INVESTIGATIONS - AROUND ADA COUNTY

                            MOTOR VEHICLE FATALIES                                         PRIVATE RESIDENCE DEATH

                                 WATER DEATH  - DROWNING                                             SUSPICIOUS DEATH

                               TRAIN VS. VAN ACCIDENT                                   I-84 MOTOR VEHICLE FATALITY

                                  IN CUSTODY DEATH                                                 BLOOD SPATTER PATTERN

                FORENSIC DIG FOR REMAINS OF DECEASED                                 MOBILE HOME FIRE

                       MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS                                            SEMI-TRUCK & TRAILER ACCIDENT

NEXT MONTH: FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS