FAQ

SECTION 841-3, HRS, DUTIES.  As soon as any coroner or deputy coroner has notice of the death of any person within his jurisdiction as the result of violence, or as the result of any accident, or by suicide, or suddenly when in apparent health, or when unattended by a physician, or in prison, or in a suspicious or unusual manner, or within twenty-four hours after admission to a hospital or institution, he shall forth-with inquire into and make a complete investigation of such death

Any person who becomes aware of the death of any person under any of the circumstances set forth above shall immediately notify the coroner of the known facts concerning the time, place, manner, and circumstances of the death.

Section 841-14, HRS, AUTOPSIES AND FURTHER INVESTIGATION.  If, in the opinion of the Coroner, or of the Coroner’s physician, or of the prosecuting attorney, or of the Chief of Police (in the City & County of Honolulu), an autopsy of the remains of the human body appearing to have come to death under any of the circumstances set forth in Section 841-3 (see below) is necessary in the interest of the public safety or welfare, he shall perform, or cause to have performed, such an autopsy.  If, in the opinion of the coroner’s physician, a further or additional investigation as to the cause of death is necessary, he may conduct the same or have the same made, and the expense thereof shall be paid by the county concerned and for this purpose, the coroner’s physician shall have the duties and powers conferred upon the coroner or deputy coroner by Section 841-4 to 941-8.

UNattended Death:

HRS §841-3  Duties  [(a)]  As soon as any coroner or deputy coroner has notice of the death of any person within the coroner’s or deputy coroner’s jurisdiction as the, result of violence or as the result of any accident, or by suicide, or suddenly when in apparent health, or when unattended by a physician, or in prison, or in a suspicious or unusual manner, or within twenty-four hours after admission to a hospital or institution, the coroner or deputy coroner shall forthwith inquire into and make a complete investigation of the cause of the death.

E.g. Shootings, motor vehicle accidents resulting in fatality, hangings, unexpectedly without explanation, etc.

Attended Death:

When a person dies without evidence of foul play and the death appears natural and a primary care physician (PCP) is available to perform death pronouncement and is willing to sign the death certificate.

E.g. Hospice Cases, Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) or comfort care only patients.