Office of the Chief Coroner About the Office

Who We Are

Who are coroners?

In Ontario, coroners are medical doctors with specialized training in the principles of death investigation. Coroners investigate deaths that are sudden and unexpected, as well as some expected deaths warranting further investigation.

Who is the Chief Coroner for the Province of Ontario?

Dr. Barry McLellan. Biography

Who assists the coroner?

Many individuals assist the coroner. Family members, associates, or attending physicians providing information about the death are essential in all coroners’ investigations. Police agencies are empowered in law to assist the coroner in gathering information and evidence at death scenes. Numerous experts in the forensic sciences assist the coroner, including pathologists who perform autopsies and laboratory specialists who perform tests on body tissues.

Who may call a coroner?

Anyone who knows of a death qualifying as a coroner’s case must call the coroner. In practice, this most often means medical or nursing personnel involved in a person’s care, or police at the scene of an unnatural death. However, any person may call if concerned or uncertain about the circumstances surrounding a death.

Who does an autopsy?

An autopsy is performed by a pathologist, a physician who is specially trained in the examination of body tissues by visual examination and under a microscope. In Ontario, pathologists who work in local hospitals may conduct coroner’s autopsies. In very complex cases, a specially trained pathologist at a forensic pathology centre may conduct the autopsy.

Who receives the results of the autopsy?

The pathologist will offer an opinion of the cause of death and submit a report to the coroner. The coroner will consider that report and other investigative findings in determining the cause and manner of death. It may be several months before all of the information the coroner requires is available. The more complex the circumstances, the more time required.

Who is entitled to the information?

At the end of the investigation, any near relative or personal representative may obtain a copy of the coroner’s findings and if an autopsy was done the pathologist’s and toxicologist’s reports. The request should be in writing, with the requester stating relationship to the deceased. The requester may ask that reports be sent directly to a third party, such as a family doctor or a legal or insurance representative.