Effingham County, Illinois

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What We Do:

The Coroner investigates all sudden, natural and violent deaths in the County, which appear to be accidental, homicidal, or suicidal to determine the cause and manner of death.

At his discretion, he may summon a jury composed of six persons of legal age and conduct an inquest into the cause and manner of death. The purpose of the inquest is to present pertinent information concerning the victim’s death in order for the jury to arrive at a cause and manner of death. The cause of death is often readily apparent and obvious based on the facts, circumstances, medical evidence and in some cases toxicology and autopsy results. The real essence of the juror’s responsibility is to establish the manner of death (suicide, homicide, accident, natural or undetermined.)

Historically, the function of the coroner are as follows:

1.		The coroner serves as a check and balance upon law enforcement officials.
2.		The coroner is involved in the matter of public safety.
3.		The coroner plays a very important role in the area of preventive medicine.
4.		The most important role played by the coroner is in the area of crime prevention. The coroner, by screening every unnatural death, can and often uncovers homicides which might otherwise pass unnoticed or be attributed to accident, death caused by fire, etc.
5.		Public inquiry by the coroner serves the purpose of fixing legal responsibility. The coroner can and often does unearth facts which can be used to obtain benefits under statutory programs or private contract. Such things as Worker’s Compensation benefits, Social Security benefits and double indemnity under contracts of insurance might not become available to surviving widows and children without the activities of the coroner.

Contact:

Leigh Hammer, Coroner
101 North Fourth St

Suite 401

P.O. Box 1244
Effingham, IL 62401
Phone: 217-342-4651
FAX: 217-342-4681
Email: coroner@co.effingham.il.us

Services Provided:

Some of the Specific duties and responsibilities are as follows:

1.		Coordinates the investigation and determines the circumstances, manner, and cause of all violent, sudden or unusual deaths.
2.		Selects the deputy coroners and other personnel as needed.
3.		Supervises and instructs employees
4.		Orders and sees that autopsies are attended by either Law Enforcement Agency or personnel of his office or both.
5.		Prepares annual budget request for office.
6.		Notifies next of kin.
7.		Completes Death Certificates and Cremation Certificates.
8.		Orders and conducts Inquest.
9.		Conducts meetings and conferences with Law Enforcement Agencies, attorneys, physicians, hospital personnel, funeral directors, news media, ambulance attendants and public.
10.		Prepares reports and press releases. Makes sure media does not release names and addresses until next-of-kin are notified.
11.		Gives presentations at schools, seminars, and service clubs, nursing homes and hospital staffs.
12.		Requests organ donations from next-of-kin and sees that those wishes are carried out.
13.		Procurement of blood and urine samples for the purpose of toxicology tests.
14.		Selects the deputy coroners and other personnel as needed.

Links to Related Pages:

Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation

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http://www.mlerf.org

Gift of Hope

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http://www.giftofhope.org