ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER 2007 STEVE MOORE SHERIFF-CORONER PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR 7000 MICHAEL N.CANLIS BLVD. FRENCH CAMP, CA (209)

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 -SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 2 -DEATHS REPORTABLE TO THE CORONER 3 INVESTIGATIONS, CORONER CASES AND AUTOPSIES 5 -SUMMARY OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 6 -SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIONS 5-YEARS 7 -DISPOSITION OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 8 -AGE AND SEX OF DECEDENTS 9 MANNER OF DEATH 10 -DEFINITION OF CAUSE AND MANNERS OF DEATH 11 -COMPARISON OF DEATHS BY TYPE 12 -INVESTIGATIONS BY TYPE OF DEATH 13 -NATURAL DEATHS BY THE MONTH 14 -NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 15 -MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 16 -MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 5-YEARS 18 -COMPARISON OF UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE 19 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS BY MODE 20 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS BY TYPE 21 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS BY MONTH 22 -BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 23 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 5-YEARS 26 -HOMICIDES BY MODE 27 -HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION 28 -HOMICIDES BY THE MONTH 29 -HOMICIDES 5-YEARS 30 -SUICIDES BY MODE 31 -SUICIDES BY THE MONTH 32 -SUICIDES 5-YEARS 33 SPECIAL SUMMARIES 34 -TEEN SUICIDES 35 -DEATHS DUE TO ILLICIT DRUGS 36 -DEATHS DUE TO GUNSHOT WOUND(S) 37 INDIGENT BURIALS 38 -INDIGENT BURIALS SUMMARY 39 -INDIGENT BURIALS 5-YEARS 40

4 INTRODUCTION

5 2007 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER In San Joaquin County, the Sheriff and the Coroner, are one and the same. The San Joaquin County Sheriff s Coroner Division is comprised of one Sergeant, three Deputy Sheriff-Coroner Investigators, and two Secretaries. In 2007 a Chief Medical Examiner was added to the staffing. During the 2007 calendar year, 4576 deaths were recorded in San Joaquin County. Of that number, 2532 or about 55.3%, were reported to the Coroner s Office pursuant to California Government Code Section 27491, which directs the Coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of those reportable deaths. This represents a 1.3% increase over 2006 when 2473 deaths were reported to the Coroner. After investigation, 727 deaths, or about 28.7% of the cases reported to the Coroner, resulted as actual coroner cases with the final cause of death signed by the Coroner or his delegated authority. This represents an increase of 9.3% from The remaining 1805 cases were referred to the attending physicians for signing of the death certificates. Of the 727 deaths certified by the Coroner s Office, 470 or about 64% required an Autopsy, to determine the cause of death. Of these cases investigated, about 34% were found to be deaths due to natural causes. Of the natural deaths investigated by the Coroner, about 61.3% were heart related. Accidental deaths comprised about 42.9% of investigated deaths, with a motor vehicle being the main instrument of death. Alcohol was present in the post mortem blood in about 29.5% of all motor vehicle deaths. Suicides accounted for about 7.9% of the investigated deaths, and firearms were the instruments of death in about 34% of those cases. There were 54 homicides investigated by the San Joaquin County Coroner s Office in 2007, a decrease of about >1% over Firearms were the major instruments of death in about 72% of all homicides. There were 2 deaths of undetermined classification investigated by the Coroner. In these investigations the cause or manner of death could not be determined. During 2007, the Coroner s Office processed 101 indigent cases in which the decedents had insufficient funds for interment, an 8% increase over

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8 INVESTIGATIONS CORONER CASES AND AUTOPSIES

9 SUMMARY OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 2007 AUTOPSY INSPECTION INVESTIGATION REFERRAL TOTAL JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER TOTAL AUTOPSY INSPECTION A FULL EXAMINATION, BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL, TO DETERMINE THE PATHOLOGICAL CAUSE OF DEATH. THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER. 470 A TERM USED BY THE CORONER S OFFICE WHEN THERE IS SUFFICIENT MEDICAL DATA TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH BY PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF THE BODY AND WITHOUT AN AUTOPSY. THE FINAL DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER. 227 INVESTIGATION A TERM USED BY THE CORONER S OFFICE WHEN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER AFTER A FULL INVESTIGATION, AND REVIEW OF MEDICAL RECORDS WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE BODY. 30 REFERRAL TOTAL A TERM USED BY THE CORONER S OFFICE FOR A DEATH THAT WHEN AFTER INVESTIGATION IS RELEASED TO A PRIVATE PHYSICIAN FOR THE SIGNING OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE INDICATES TOTAL NUMBER OF AUTOPIES, INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND REFERRALS

10 CORONER INVESTIGATIONS AUTOPSY INSPECTION & INVESTIGATION REFERRAL TOTAL

11 DISPOSITION OF REPORTABLE DEATHS Autopsy 18.6% Inspection 9.0% Investigation 1.2% Referral 71.3% Total Reportable Deaths:

12 CORONER INVESTIGATIONS AGE AND SEX OF DECEDENTS Male Female unk CORONER INVESTIGATIONS SEX OF DECEDENTS 2007 AGE GROUPS MALE FEMALE TOTAL Unknown 2 2 (DOE) adults TOTAL

13 MANNER OF DEATH

14 Definition of Cause and Manners of Death Reference: National Association of Medical Examiners Guide Cause Manner The medical reason for the death as determined by a Forensic Pathologist or Licensed Physician. The category or classification of death based on the available information concerning the circumstances surrounding a death. The Manner of Death is used only in the United States for statistical purposes and is not legally binding. The preponderance of medical and/or investigative evidence (greater than a 50:50 chance) is the standard used when determining Manner of Death. The Manners of Death used in California are listed below. Natural Deaths due solely or nearly totally to a disease and/or the 301 natural aging process. Accident Suicide Homicide Undetermined Deaths due to an act, injury or poisoning where the outcome was unintentional. 312 Deaths due to an injury or poisoning as a result of an intentional, self-inflicted act committed to do self harm or cause the death of one s self. 58 Deaths due to a volitional act committed by another person to cause harm, fear or death. Intent is a common element but is not required for this classification. 54 Used when the information pointing to one manner of death is no more compelling than one or more competing manners of death after thorough consideration of all available information. 2 As an example, the Cause of Death is Gunshot Wound of the Head, but the preponderance of available information is not sufficient to certify the Manner of Death as either an accident, suicide, or homicide. Total Indicates the total number of all Manners of Death as 727 certified by the Coroner s Office. 11

15 COMPARISON OF DEATHS BY TYPE NATURAL ACCIDENT (MISC) ACCIDENT (MOTOR VEH) SUICIDE HOMICIDE UNDETERMINED REFERRAL TOTAL % CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR TOTAL DEATHS IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY +1.0% -9.0% +10.0% -3.4% +4.1% % INVESTIGATED BY CORONER 55.0% 54.0% 55% 54% 55% 12

16 COMPARISON OF DEATH INVESTIGATIONS BY TYPE OF DEATH 2007 Accident (Misc) 26.0% Undetermined 0.3% Homicide 7.4% Natural 41.4% Accident (Motor Veh) 16.9% Suicide 8.0% Total: 727 Deaths (Actual Coroner Cases) 13

17 NATURAL DEATHS BY THE MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2007 JAN 22 FEB 21 MAR 27 APR 17 MAY 19 JUN 20 JUL 36 AUG 23 SEP 30 OCT 35 NOV 24 DEC 27 TOTAL

18 COMPARISON OF NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE Digestive System 0.7% Respiratory Central Nervous Hepatic 6.6% System 1.0% Slice % 0.0% Other 21.9% Heart 61.1% S.I.D.S. 2.3% Malignancy 2.7% NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 2007 HEART 184 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 2 RESPIRATORY 20 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 11 SUDDEN INFANT DEATH 7 SYNDROME MALIGNANCY 8 HEPATIC 3 Other: Endocrine, Hematologic, 66 Immune, Renal and Misc. TOTAL

19 MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE ASPHYXIA. 18 DROWNING 10 CHOKED ON FOOD/OBJECT 5 POSITIONAL ASPHYXIA 3 DRUG(S)/TOXIC SUBSTANCES O.D. ILLICIT DRUGS/DRUG ABUSE 48 OVERDOSE OF ALCOHOL 4 OVERDOSE PRESCRIPTION DRUG(S)/MED(S) 24 CHRONIC IV DRUG ABUSE 11 COMBINED ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 14 BURNS/SMOKE INHALATION... 5 RESIDENTAL FIRE 4 Chemical burns 1 FALL DOWNSTAIRS 2 TO PAVEMENT 4 TO GROUND 24 TO FLOOR 6 FROM HEIGHT 3 AGAINST OBJECT 5 OTHER MISC ACCIDENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS 1 HYPOTHERMIA (COLD RELATED) 1 THERAPEUTIC MISADVENTURE 4 OTHER 14 TOTAL

20 COMPARISON OF MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE Burns 2.7% Other 10.6% Asphyxia 9.6% Drugs 53.7% Falls 23.4% MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 2007 ASPHYXIA 18 DRUGS 101 FALLS 44 BURNS 5 OTHER 20 TOTAL

21 MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY MONTH AND YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL

22 COMPARISON OF UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE Other/Unknown 50% Gunshot Wound(s) 50% UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE 2007 GUNSHOT WOUND(S) 1 OTHER/UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES 1 TOTAL 2 19

23 COMPARISON OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS Truck 10.5% Pedestrian 16.1% Automobile 56.5% Motorcycle 15.3% Misc. 1.6% MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 2007 AUTOMOBILE 70 TRUCK 13 PEDESTRIAN 20 MOTORCYCLE 19 MISC 2 TOTAL

24 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 2007 AUTOMOBILE AUTO OVERTURN 9 AUTO VS AUTO 23 AUTO VS FIXED OBJECT 17 AUTO VS TRUCK 8 AUTO VS UNKNOWN 1 AUTO INTO WATER 6 AUTO VS TRAIN 2 AUTO VS BICYCLE 4 FALL FROM MOVING VEHICLE 1 MOTORCYCLE MOTORCYCLE VS AUTO 7 MOTORCYCLE VS TRUCK 1 MOTORCYCLE OVERTURN 3 MOTORCYCLE VS UNKNOWN 1 MOTORCYCLE VS MULTI VEHICLES 1 MOTORCYCLE VS TRAIN 1 MOTORCYCLE VS FIXED OBJECT 5 PEDESTRIAN.. 20 PEDESTRIAN VS FARM EQUIPMENT 1 PEDESTRIAN VS AUTO 11 PEDESTRIAN VS TRUCK 4 PEDESTRIAN VS TRAIN 4 TRUCK TRUCK OVERTURN 4 TRUCK VS AUTO 3 TRUCK VS FIXED OBJECT 3 TRUCK VS TRUCK 2 TRUCK INTO WATER 1 MISC. 1 ATV ROLLOVER 1 TOTAL

25 MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2007 MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS MONTHLY COMPARISON JAN 10 FEB 8 MAR 13 APR 11 MAY 18 JUN 10 JUL 15 AUG 8 SEP 9 OCT 6 NOV 3 DEC 13 TOTAL

26 BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS California Government Code Section provides that the Coroner shall test for alcohol and barbiturate levels in all motor vehicle deaths where the decedent was fifteen (15) years of age, or older, and died within twenty-four (24) hours of the accident. It gives the Coroner discretion for testing to determine possible amphetamine level. It further provides that such tests shall also be performed on decedents under fifteen (15) years of age, if the surrounding circumstances indicate the possibility of alcohol, barbituric acid, or amphetamine derivative consumption. During 2007, one hundred twenty-four (124) people died in San Joaquin County as a result of motor vehicle accidents, this represents a <1% increase from Blood samples were obtained and submitted for toxicological study in about 99% of these cases. California Vehicle Code, section (a) states that it is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug to drive a vehicle. Section (b) states that it is unlawful for any person who has a blood alcohol of 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle. Alcohol was present in the blood in about 33.8% of the tested cases. The blood alcohol level was at or above 0.08% in about 31.4% of all motor vehicle deaths, an increase of 4.4% from year Results showed that thirty nine (39) of the one hundred twenty two (120) persons tested for blood alcohol levels were presumed intoxicated beyond the legal limit to operate a vehicle in California. Particularly significant was the fact that of the tested, forty-one (41) were drivers of motor vehicles in 2007, twenty-two (22) of the drivers, or about 50% had blood alcohol levels at or above the level presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. Five (5) also had significant levels of methamphetamine. Also noted was the fact that twelve (12) of the Motor Vehicle deaths were under the age of 18. One (1) of those deaths, under 18 years of age had significant alcohol in there blood, ranging from.04% to.08%. 23

27 BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS Neg % % % %.20% & Over OF THOSE TESTED BLOOD ALCOHOL IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 2007 Neg % % % %.20% & Over DRIVER PASSENGER PEDESTRIAN MOTORCYCLIST BICYCLIST UNKNOWN TOTAL

28 BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS Alcohol 33.9% No Alcohol 66.1% 2007 ALCOHOL 42 NO ALCOHOL 82 TOTAL

29 MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL

30 COMPARISON OF HOMICIDES BY MODE OF DEATH Incised/Cut Wound(s) 7.4% Gunshot Wound(s) 72.2% Beating/Blow(s) to Body 16.7% Strangulation 3.7% 2007 HOMICIDES MALE FEMALE TOTAL GUNSHOT WOUND(S) BEATING/BLOW(S) TO BODY INCISED/CUT WOUND(S) STRANGULATION TOTAL

31 HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION San Joaquin Sheriff 22.2% Stockton Police 64.8% Manteca Police 1.9% Lodi Police 1.9% CDC: DVI 1.9% Tracy Police 7.4% HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION 2007 STOCKTON POLICE 35 SAN JOAQUIN SHERIFF 12 MANTECA POLICE 1 LODI POLICE 1 TRACY POLICE 4 CALIFORNIA DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS: DVI 1 TOTAL 54 28

32 HOMICIDES BY THE MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2007 JAN 6 FEB 5 MAR 4 APR 3 MAY 1 JUN 5 JUL 6 AUG 4 SEP 3 OCT 10 NOV 2 DEC 5 TOTAL 54 29

33 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY HOMICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON HOMICIDE

34 COMPARISON OF SUICIDES BY MODE OF DEATH Overdose 12% Asphyxia/Suffocation 9% Hanging 31% Incised/Cut Wound(s) 3% Jump 2% Vehicle 7% Poison 2% Gunshot Wound(s) 34% 2007 SUICIDES MALE FEMALE TOTAL GUNSHOT WOUND(S) HANGING INCISED/CUT WOUND(S) VEHICLE OVERDOSE JUMP POISON ASPHYXIA/SUFFOCATION TOTAL

35 SUICIDES BY THE MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2007 JAN 2 FEB 3 MAR 4 APR 2 MAY 9 JUN 8 JUL 5 AUG 6 SEP 6 OCT 4 NOV 4 DEC 5 TOTAL 58 32

36 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON SUICIDE

37 SPECIAL SUMMARIES

38 TEEN SUICIDES In 2007 there was only 1 teenage suicide investigated by the Coroner s Office. The month of occurrence, sex, age, and method of each case was as follows: April Female age 19 years Vehicular 35

39 DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SUMMARY In 2007 there were 101 deaths investigated by the Coroner s Office which were caused by an overdose of illicit drugs, alcohol or pharmaceuticals, ( pg. 16). These deaths are now tracked in more detail and by specific drug type. The classification of these deaths was primarily accidental. Although 101deaths were directly caused by an overdose, a significant number of deaths included illicit drugs or alcohol as contributory or not directly related to the cause of death. The numbers below represent the total number of decedents that had the substances appear in their toxicology reports. Many decedents may have a combination of several substances. METHAMPHETAMINE/AMPHETAMINE 55 HEROIN 38 COCAINE 29 METHADONE 20 PCP (Phencyclidine) 1 MDMA/MDA 4 (MDMA-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDA-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) ALCOHOL 123 Although Methadone is a pharmaceutical, it was not actually prescribed to many of the decedents and was obtained through other means. It was included along with this special summary for that reason. 36

40 TOTAL DEATHS FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS (FIREARMS) In 2007 there were 60 deaths investigated by the Coroner s Office, which were due to gunshot wounds (firearms). This represents a decrease of about 1% from These deaths were classified as follows: HOMICIDE 39 (65%) SUICIDE 20 (34%) ACCIDENT 0 ( 0%) UNDETERMINED 1 ( >1%) (Accidental vs Suicide) 37

41 INDIGENT BURIALS

42 INDIGENT BURIALS Under the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 7104, the county of residence of any indigent is responsible for the interment. The Coroner s Office administers the indigent burials budget for San Joaquin County. During 2007 the Coroner s Office processed 101 indigent cases at a cost of approximately $46,860. This was 21 more cases than in 2006, an increase of $8,080. In 2007, the indigent cremation contract was up for renewal and went out to bid. The final contract will be awarded in The current cost per indigent decedent is approximately $ There is an increased cost for decedents that are oversized. In August of 1988, because of increased funding limitations placed on the County s General Fund, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy of cremating all indigent dead. Exceptions to the policy are at the discretion of the Sheriff Coroner. 39

43 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY INDIGENT BURIALS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY INDIGENT BURIALS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON INDIGENT BURIALS TOTAL