Coroner's Office
The Coroner's Office conducts independent investigations of deaths in Charleston County, serving as a representative of the decedents and survivors. The investigation's purpose is to determine the cause and manner of death and ensure that the circumstances surrounding it are thoroughly understood.
Responsibilities
- Perform independent investigations into traumatic deaths, deaths that occur outside of hospitals and deaths that occur suddenly or unexpectedly
- Notify families when unexpected deaths occur, such as in traffic fatalities or homicides
- Make positive identification of individuals who have died
- Create reports that relate to deaths investigated by the Office
- Issue burial transit permits for individuals who have died outside of a hospital
- Provide autopsy and Coroner's reports to agencies and next of kin
- Make the final determination as to the manner of death
- Release personal effects to the next of kin
- Act as the central depository for all records relative to a death, including the Coroner's Report, Autopsy Report, police investigative reports and any other investigative agencies' reports
- Maintain the County Coroner's Book of Inquisitions
- Conduct inquests
- Issue cremation permits
- Participate as a member of the Charleston County Disaster Preparedness Team
Common Terms
Autopsy - A through external and internal examination of a deceased person which includes the dissection and examination of bone, tissue, organs and foreign objects for the purpose of determining the cause and manner of death.
Book of Inquisitions - A record of all inquests within the county, together with evidence taken before juries and all proceedings conducted before or after the Coroner's findings.
Coroner's Inquest - An official judicial inquiry before a Coroner and Coroner's Jury for the purpose of determining the manner of death.
Victim-Witness Assistance Program - A program that provides assistance to victims and witnesses by: making available information concerning their cases; supporting their rights to protection from intimidation; making referrals to medical, social, counseling and compensation services; assisting in preparation for court; and supporting families or survivors of victims.
Contact
Coroner's Office
Charleston County Perimeter Center
4000 Salt Pointe Parkway
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843)746-4030
Fax: (843)746-4033
Email:
charlestoncoroner@charlestoncounty.org
Coroner's Facebook
Office Hours:
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 4:30pm
Internship Opportunities
Internships with the Charleston County Coroner’s Office are available to students who are looking to gain knowledge and experience in the area of both forensic nursing and/or medicolegal death investigation. Preferred candidates are currently enrolled in a college or university program that requires an internship for graduation.
Internship Application
Statistics
2021 Marijuana Statistics Tables
Opioid/Drug Related Deaths
| Confirmed | Pending/Suspected | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 180 | 0 |
| 2021 | 183 | 0 |
| 2022 | 206 | 42 |
| 2023 | 25 | 45 |
Suicide Deaths
| Suicide | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 65 |
| 2021 | 75 |
| 2022 | 64 |
| 2023 | 16 |
Homicide Deaths
| Homicide | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 62 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 8 |
Forensic Autopsies Completed
| 2020 | 545 |
| 2021 | 579 |
| 2022 | 590 |
| 2023 | 143 |
Updated: 3/16/2023
Interesting Articles
July, 2022
Medicolegal Death Investigation Partnerships on Overdose Fatality Reviews
July 06, 2022
Charleston County Coroner Named 2022 Coroner of the Year and Elected President of the South Carolina Coroner's Association
February 23, 2022
Overdose deaths are underestimated, Charleston County coroner says at MUSC summit
November 01, 2021
Charleston County Coroner named President of Coroner's Association
October 06, 2021
2 feet that washed up on SC shores miles apart belonged to same person, coroner says
October 06, 2021
DNASolves Crime | Charleston County Coroner's Office Teams with Othram to Identify Human Remains found near Fort Sumter
June 24, 2020
After searching for a year, coroners identify body as missing James Island man.
April 6, 2020
#FEMA: Providing Financial Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funeral Expenses
December 11, 2019
Charleston County coroner releases new images in attempt to identify man found in Cooper River
December 01, 2019
Charleston County coroners search for identity of man found in water off Remley's Point
May 01, 2016
Science, art may help solve decade-old mystery of floating skull
February 23, 2015
Charleston County Coroner's Office Accreditation
News Releases
October 22, 2022
Charleston County Coroner's Office receives grant related to opioid deaths.
October 06, 2022
Coroner O'Neal comments on IACME joining the CFSO
September 12, 2022
Charleston County Coroner’s Office Receives Emergency Preparedness Grant
December 08, 2021
Charleston County Coroner Sworn in as President of Coroner’s Association
December 08, 2021
Charleston County Coroner’s Office Receives Grant Related to Opioid Deaths
History
The King of England appointed the first Coroner of South Carolina by relocating him from England to Charleston. Until 1706, the only Coroner in the colony lived in Charleston. Beginning in 1785, Justices of the County Court selected the Coroners who were commissioned by the Governor for two-year terms. Since 1868, and in accordance with the S.C. Constitution, each of the state's 46 counties have elected a Coroner to four-year terms.
Interesting Facts
- There are 266 Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigators in the United States. Seven are in South Carolina and of those, four are in the Charleston County Coroner's Office. They are: Bobbi Jo O’Neal, Brittney Martin, Dottie Lindsay and Anita Hasert.
- This Office offers prevention programs for schools. Topics include drinking and driving, weapons awareness and alcohol and drug abuse.
- This Office sponsors programs in the medical community promoting prevention of infants' and children's deaths.
- The Coroner's Books of Inquisitions contains records dating back to the early 1900's.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was awarded the Sue Townsend Award in 2016 by the South Carolina Coroner's Association.
- Morgue and Autopsy Coordinator, Elizabeth Dobbins, was selected as the 2019 Charleston County Employee of the Year.
- Evidence Technician, Nancy Ritter-Peacock, was selected as the 2020 Charleston County Employee of the Year.
- Supervising Deputy Coroner Kimberly Rhoton was nominated for the 2021 South Carolina Coroner's Association's Deputy Coroner of the Year.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was awarded the 2022 Coroner of the Year by the South Carolina Coroner's Association.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was elected President of the South Carolina Coroner's Association (2022-2024)
- Chief Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin was nominated for the 2022 South Carolina Coroner's Association Sue Townsend Award.
- Supervisor of Forensic Services, Kelly Gallagher, was named the Charleston County Supervisor of the Quarter for April-June 2022.
Municipalities
City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island
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