Medical Examiner
Our Mission
Our mission is to serve the citizens of Marion County with professional, efficient, and accurate death investigations.
Our Function
The primary function of the county medical examiner is the search for a truthful, logical, and scientifically unbiased statement of the cause and manner of death of an individual. The State of Oregon mandates (ORS 146.065) that there shall be, in each county, a medical examiner program. This District Medical Examiner (DME) shall investigate unattended, unusual, or traumatic deaths. The District Attorney (DA) shares in these duties and responsibilities.
Types of Deaths Requiring Investigation
The medical examiner shall investigate and certify the cause and manner of all human deaths:
- Apparently homicidal, suicidal, or occurring under suspicious or unknown circumstances
- Resulting from the unlawful use of controlled substances or the use or abuse of chemicals or toxic agents
- Occurring while incarcerated in any jail, correction facility, or in police custody
- Apparently accidental or following an injury
- By disease, injury, or toxic agent during or arising from employment
- While not under the care of a physician during the period immediately previous to death
- Related to disease which might constitute a threat to public health
- In which a human body apparently has been disposed of in an offensive manner
- As used in this section, "offensive manner" means a manner offensive to the generally accepted standards of the community.
Requesting Records
Autopsy, Toxicology, and Investigative Reports
These reports are maintained and released by the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office. Marion County Medical Examiner's Office will not issue copies, they must be obtained by filling out the request form below. Please be sure to include a photocopy of your current government-issued ID with your request.
Click here for a request form
Death Certificates
If the date of death is 6 months or less:
Click here for a request form
If the date of death is more than 6 months:
Click here for a request form
*You can also contact your funeral home to request death certificates.
Contact Information
Office Location:
3180 Center Street NE #1217
Salem, OR 97301
Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
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