An Officer Of The Court Whose Chief Function Is To - Dauphin County

A government official who is responsible for:
Investigating human deaths
Determining cause and manner of death
Issuing death certificates
Maintaining death records
Responding to deaths in mass disasters
Identifying unknown decedents
an officer of the court whose chief function is to
investigate any death where the cause is not readily
identifiable or where the death does not clearly result
from natural causes.

Coroner
Graham Hetrick
Chief Deputy
Lisa Potteiger
Asst. Chief Deputy
Lynn Choborda
Admin. Assistant
Jill Payne
Full-Time
Deputy
Thomas Reinhard
Full-Time Deputy
Zachery Smeltz
Solicitor
Ronald Butler
Part-Time
Deputy
Carmen Russell
Part-Time
Deputy Richard
Wilson
Part-Time
Deputy John Friel
Part-Time
Deputy Vacant

800
700
600
RELEASED
INVESTIGATED
500
400
300
200
100
0
TOTAL
DEATHS
INVESTIGATED
AUTOPSIED

To search out and examine the particulars of in an
attempt to learn the facts about something
hidden, unique, or complex, especially in an
attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit
A searching inquiry for ascertaining facts; detailed
or careful examination.

NATURAL
ACCIDENTAL
HOMICIDE
SUICIDE
PENDING

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
RESIDENCE HMC HARRISBURG COMMUNITY
GENERAL
OTHER

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
10
5
0
January February March April May June July August September October November December

NATURAL DEATHS
HEART
PULMONARY
CANCER
RENAL
DIABTES
OTHER

30
25
20
15
10
5
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
0

MVC's
FALLS
OVERDOSES
OTHER

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2
1
0

FIREARMS
HANGINGS
DRUG OVERDOSES
OTHER

4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
0.5
0

FIREARMS
STABBINGS
TRAUMATIC
INJURIES

TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER COUNTIES
LEBANON
LANCASTER
PERRY
FRANKLIN
YORK
BERKS
CUMBERLAND
OTHER COUNTIES

Our investigators attend annual education training, and
continually exceed the state requirements.
Our staff continues to improve themselves with
various educational opportunities, to include, in
2011, the Pennsylvania State Coroner’s Basic
Education Course, the William Burnham Jr. Death
Scene Awareness Project, and the PA State
Coroners’ Convention.
This office continues to work with Police to train
Emergency Medical Services and Fire personnel to
better understand scene preservation and evidence
collection.

Believing hands-on education is the key to the future, we will continue to
participate in educational programs that encourage personal growth and
community involvement.
‣ Internships - this office accepts qualified students for internship
applications.
‣ Intern - a person who works as an apprentice or trainee in an occupation or
profession to gain practical experience, and sometimes also to satisfy legal
or other requirements for being licensed or accepted professionally.
‣ In 2011, we interned students from Penn State University, Philadelphia
College of Osteopathic Medicine, Messiah College, and Harrisburg
University of Science and Technology.

EXPENSES
In addition to routine expenses, this office required
the following purchases:
◦ Additional and replacement cameras.
◦ Vehicle emergency lighting.
◦ Software upgrade to Forensic Filer system (the office's
report writing program).
◦ New tires for and repairs to work vehicles.

Once again, I must commend our medicolegal death investigation
team for their dedication and a job well done. All four of the full time
investigators either have or are in the process of having national
certification in medicolegal death investigation. They confront on a
daily basis death in all of its forms. They see humanity at its very best
and its very worst. Even with this exposure, they are able to treat the
survivors of the deceased with compassion and individuality.
Our goals in 2011 are the following:
◦ Fully implement the Forensic Education Center;
◦ Advance our training and communication with the overall medical community;
◦ Advance forensics through our resident internship program;
◦ Provide communication and training programs for first responders;
◦ Expand our cooperation in the process of retrieving organs and tissues for life
saving and life altering donation.
I look forward to serving both the County and the nation in the field
of medicolegal death investigation. Graham S. Hetrick, MS, FD, BCFE