Polk County Medical Examiner & Coroner in Polk County, Iowa

This medical examiner or coroner's office conducts death investigations and provides forensic documentation for qualifying deaths in the jurisdiction. Polk County Medical Examiner & Coroner is located at 1914 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, IA. Families contacting the office about a case should have the deceased's full name, date of death, and case number ready. Designate one family contact person to communicate with the office for consistent and efficient information exchange.

About Polk County Medical Examiner & Coroner

The Polk County Medical Examiner & Coroner, located in Des Moines, IA, keeps death records for individuals who passed away in Des Moines. The Coroner and Medical Examiner determines a deceased person's time and cause of death, often in the case of sudden or unexpected deaths. The office identifies bodies, notifies the next of kin, and returns personal belongings to the family. They also work with Polk County police and sheriff's offices to investigate suspicious or violent deaths. The Polk County Medical Examiner & Coroner creates death records that can be used in criminal investigations, to resolve insurance claims, or to monitor Des Moines public health.

• Death investigation case status and estimated completion timeline
• Body release procedures and next of kin identification requirements
• Requesting autopsy reports, toxicology results, and investigation records
• Death certificate cause of death information and amendment procedures