The mission of the Office of the Medical Examiner is to serve and protect the interests of the community by determining the cause, circumstances, and manner of sudden or unexplained deaths occurring within the County of San Joaquin.  We identify the deceased and notify their next-of-kin, regardless of where they may live in the world, while ensuring the deceased and their property are treated with the utmost respect and dignity.  

We accomplish our mission through the use of forensic pathologists, trained death investigators, professional consultants, and other methods of inquiry.  We serve as an independent finder of fact in the manner prescribed by law.