ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER 2012

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER 2012 STEVE MOORE SHERIFF-CORONER PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR 7000 MICHAEL N.CANLIS BLVD. FRENCH CAMP, CA. 95231 (209) 468-4300 www.sjsheriff.org

OFFICE OF ========SHERIFF-CORONER= COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN 7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd. French Camp, California 95231-9781 Steve Moore Sheriff-Coroner Public Administrator April 1, 2013 Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors County of San Joaquin Courthouse Stockton, California Dear Board Members: The 2012 Annual Report of the Office of Coroner, which contains statistical data of the activities of this office, is forwarded to you for your review and information. This report catalogs the activities of the San Joaquin County Coroner's Office for the calendar year 2012, and offers a full accounting of the cases and medical inquiries into the causes and manners of death of any coroner's case within the San Joaquin County Coroner's jurisdiction. Your Board again is to be recognized for the great level of support and assistance provided to this office as we work to raise the quality of the services provided to our citizens. We also wish to express our gratitude to all members of the medical community, as well as our governmental agency partners who have provided assistance throughout the year. Sincerely, CD-32

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 -COMPARISON OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE -MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 5-YEARS -COMPARISON OF UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE 16 17 18 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 -BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS CHART IN VEHICLE DEATHS 24 -BLOOD ALCOHOL AND NON BLOOD ALCOHOL DEATHS 25 -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 23

INTRODUCTION 1

2012 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, two Secretaries, a Forensic Pathologist and two Medical Technicians. During the 2012 calendar year, 4791 deaths were recorded in San Joaquin County. Of that number, 2942 or about 61%, 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 3.4% increase over 2011 when 2844 deaths were reported to the Coroner. After investigation, 697 deaths, or about 23.7% 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 a decrease of 1.4% from 2011. The remaining 2245 cases were referred to the attending physicians for signing of the death certificates. Of the 697 deaths certified by the Coroner s Office, 512 or about 73.5% required an Autopsy, to determine the cause of death. Of these cases investigated, about 36.9% were found to be deaths due to natural causes. Of the natural deaths investigated by the Coroner, about 79% were heart related. Accidental deaths comprised about 37.2% of investigated deaths. Of the accidental deaths, 24.7% were due to motor vehicles. Vehicle accidents were down from 83 in 2011 to 64 in 2012. Alcohol was found to be present in the post mortem blood in about 45.3% of all motor vehicle deaths. Suicides accounted for about 11.3% of the investigated deaths, and firearms were the instruments of death in about 36.7% of those cases. There were 94 homicides investigated by the San Joaquin County Coroner s Office in 2012, an increase of about 1% over 2011. Firearms were the major instruments of death in about 82.9% of all homicides. There were 8 deaths of undetermined classification investigated by the Coroner. In these investigations the cause or manner of death could not be determined. During 2012, the Coroner s Office processed 55 indigent cases in which the decedents had insufficient funds for interment, a 1.8% decrease over 2011. 2

OFFICE OF ======== SHERIFF-CORONER = COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN 7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd. French Camp, California 95231-9781 Steve Moore Sheriff-Coroner Public Administrator April 1, 2013 TO: Hospital Administrators, Physicians, Emergency Medical Services and Funeral Directors. SUBJECT: Deaths Which Should Be Reported to the Coroner By law, the Coroner is directed to administer and direct investigation of death which occurs under questionable circumstances. The California Health and Safety Code (Section 102850) and the Government Code (Section 27491) set forth the legal requirements for reporting deaths to the Coroner. Section 102850 of the Health and Safety Code states a physician, funeral director, or any other person shall immediately notify the Coroner when he or she has knowledge of a death which occurred, or has charge of a body in which death occurred: a. without medical attendance, b. during the continued absence of the attending physician, c. where the attending physician is unable to state the cause of death, d. where suicide is suspected, e. following an injury or an accident, or f. under such circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another. Section 27 491 of the Government Code, as amended by the 1961 session of the State Legislature, directs the Coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of the following deaths which are immediately reportable.. 1. All violent, sudden or unusual deaths. 2. No physician in attendance. 3. Wherein the deceased had not been attended by a physician in the twenty days before death. 3 CD-32

4. Related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion. 5. Known or suspected homicide. 6. Known or suspected suicide. 7. Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents). 8. Known or suspected as resulting in whole or in part from or related to accident or injury either old or recent. 9. Deaths due to drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, cutting, exposure, starvation, acute alcoholism, drug addiction, strangulation, or aspiration. 10. Deaths associated with a known or alleged rape or crime against nature. 11. Deaths in prison or while under sentence. 12. Deaths known or suspected as due to contagious diseases and. constituting a public hazard. 13. Deaths from occupational disease or occupational hazards. 14. All deaths of unidentified persons. 15. Where the suspected cause of death is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 16. Deaths of patients in State mental hospitals serving the mentally disabled and operated by the State Department of Mental Health. 17. Deaths of patients in State hospitals serving the developmentally disabled and operated by the State Department of Developmental Services. 18. Deaths under such circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another. We hope that this information will be helpful to you. If any additional information is desired, please contact the Coroner's Office at 468-4300. Sincerely, c 7/F)/1~ "" TEVE MOORE :heriff-coroner 4

INVESTIGATIONS CORONER CASES AND AUTOPSIES 5

SUMMARY OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 2012 AUTOPSY INSPECTION INVESTIGATION REFERRAL TOTAL JANUARY 44 12 6 219 281 FEBRUARY 37 15 1 192 245 MARCH 57 22 1 223 303 APRIL 38 10 10 180 238 MAY 41 9 5 199 254 JUNE 48 11 2 177 238 JULY 39 14 3 172 228 AUGUST 44 10 6 199 259 SEPTEMBER 28 6 1 169 204 OCTOBER 45 11 4 148 208 NOVEMBER 39 15 1 160 215 DECEMBER 52 5 5 207 269 TOTAL 512 140 45 2245 2942 AUTOPSY: A FULL EXAMINATION, BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL, TO DETERMINE THE PATHOLOGICAL CAUSE OF DEATH. THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER 512 INSPECTION: 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. 140 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. 45 REFERRAL: 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. 2245 TOTAL: INDICATES TOTAL NUMBER OF AUTOPIES, INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND REFERRALS. 2942 6

CORONER INVESTIGATIONS 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 AUTOPSY 558 485 563 605 512 INSPECTION & 162 150 115 102 185 INVESTIGATION REFERRAL 1834 1816 1943 2137 2245 TOTAL 2554 2451 2621 2844 2942 7

DISPOSITION OF REPORTABLE DEATHS Autopsy 17.4% Inspection 4.7% Investigation 1.5% Referral 76.3% Total Reportable Deaths: 2942 8

CORONER INVESTIGATIONS AGE AND SEX OF DECEDENTS 120 100 80 60 40 Male Female 20 0 0-1 2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90+ unk CORONER INVESTIGATIONS SEX OF DECEDENTS 2012 AGE GROUPS MALE FEMALE TOTAL 0-1 4 4 8 2-9 3 4 7 10-19 17 3 20 20-29 70 15 85 30-39 46 5 51 40-49 79 41 120 50-59 103 44 147 60-69 105 38 143 70-79 30 11 41 80-89 34 24 58 90+ 8 8 16 Unknown ------ ----- 1 (DOE) adults TOTAL 499 197 697 9

MANNER OF DEATH 10

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 257 natural aging process. Accident Suicide Homicide Undetermined Deaths due to an act, injury or poisoning where the outcome was unintentional. 259 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. 79 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. 94 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. 8 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 697 certified by the Coroner s Office. 11

COMPARISON OF DEATHS BY TYPE 2008-2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 NATURAL 306 260 246 226 257 ACCIDENT (MISC) 200 192 218 228 195 ACCIDENT (MOTOR VEH) 91 61 77 83 64 SUICIDE 74 56 63 72 79 HOMICIDE 45 63 68 93 94 UNDETERMINED 3 3 6 5 8 REFERRAL 1834 1816 1943 2137 2245 TOTAL 2554 2451 2621 2844 2942 % CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR TOTAL DEATHS IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY +1.0% -4.03% +9.35% +8.5% +3.4% 4635 4342 4493 4627 4791 % INVESTIGATED BY CORONER 55% 56% 58% 61% 61% 12

COMPARISON OF DEATH INVESTIGATIONS BY TYPE OF DEATH 2012 Undetermined 1.1% Homicide 13.5% Accident (Misc) 28.0% Accident (Motor Veh) 9.2% Natural 36.9% Suicide 11.3% Total: 697 Deaths (Actual Coroner Cases) 13

NATURAL DEATHS BY THE MONTH 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2012 JAN 20 FEB 19 MAR 25 APR 18 MAY 22 JUN 18 JUL 22 AUG 22 SEP 13 OCT 21 NOV 28 DEC 29 TOTAL 257 14

COMPARISON OF NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE Heart 79.0% S.I.D.S. 0.8% Hepatic 5.4% Digestive System 1.6% Other 3.9% Respiratory 5.8% Malignancy 0.4% Central Nervous System 3.1% NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 2012 HEART 203 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 4 RESPIRATORY 15 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 8 SUDDEN INFANT DEATH 2 SYNDROME MALIGNANCY 1 HEPATIC 14 Other: Endocrine, Hematologic, 10 Immune, Renal and Misc. TOTAL 257 15

MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE ASPHYXIA. 27 DROWNING 11 CHOKED ON FOOD/OBJECT 5 POSITIONAL ASPHYXIA 3 ASPHYXIA 8 DRUG(S)/TOXIC SUBSTANCES... 119 O.D. ILLICIT DRUGS/DRUG ABUSE 53 OVERDOSE OF ALCOHOL 10 OVERDOSE PRESCRIPTION DRUG(S)/MED(S) 40 CHRONIC IV DRUG ABUSE 2 COMBINED ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 14 BURNS/SMOKE INHALATION... 1 RESIDENTAL FIRE 0 BURNS 1 FALL... 40 DOWNSTAIRS 1 TO PAVEMENT 4 TO GROUND 28 TO FLOOR 5 FROM HEIGHT 2 AGAINST OBJECT 0 OTHER MISC ACCIDENT... 8 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS 0 HYPOTHERMIA (COLD RELATED) 0 THERAPEUTIC COMPLICATION 1 ELECTROCUTION 2 OTHER 5 TOTAL.. 195 16

COMPARISON OF MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE Asphyxia 13.8% Other 4.1% Burns 0.5% Falls 20.5% Drugs 61.0% MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 17 2012 ASPHYXIA 27 DRUGS 119 FALLS 40 BURNS 1 OTHER 8 TOTAL 195

MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 240 230 220 210 200 190 180 170 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY MONTH AND YEAR 2008-2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 JAN 12 16 13 23 18 FEB 13 24 12 10 14 MAR 16 17 18 18 23 APR 21 17 17 24 21 MAY 18 16 23 19 13 JUN 23 14 21 13 16 JUL 18 17 21 19 14 AUG 16 11 19 16 19 SEP 11 23 20 16 9 OCT 28 13 16 21 21 NOV 13 12 20 26 12 DEC 11 12 18 23 15 TOTAL 200 192 218 228 195 18

COMPARISON OF UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE Other/Unknown 100% Indian Remains 0% UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE 2012 INDIAN REMAINS 0 OTHER/UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES 8 TOTAL 8 19

COMPARISON OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS Truck 12.5% Pedestrian 12.5% Automobile 60.9% Motorcycle 6.3% ATV 0.0% Misc. 7.8% MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 2012 AUTOMOBILE 39 TRUCK 8 PEDESTRIAN 8 MOTORCYCLE 4 MISC 5 ATV 0 TOTAL 64 20

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 2012 AUTOMOBILE... 39 AUTO OVERTURN 8 AUTO VS AUTO 11 AUTO VS FIXED OBJECT 9 AUTO VS TRUCK 8 AUTO VS UNKNOWN 0 AUTO INTO WATER 1 AUTO VS TRAIN 1 AUTO VS BICYCLE 0 FALL FROM MOVING VEHICLE 1 MOTORCYCLE.... 4 MOTORCYCLE VS AUTO 1 MOTORCYCLE VS TRUCK 0 MOTORCYCLE OVERTURN 0 MOTORCYCLE VS FARM VEHICLE 0 MOTORCYCLE VS MULTI VEHICLES 0 MOTORCYCLE VS TRAIN 0 MOTORCYCLE VS FIXED OBJECT 3 PEDESTRIAN.. 8 PEDESTRIAN VS FARM EQUIPMENT 0 PEDESTRIAN VS AUTO 4 PEDESTRIAN VS TRUCK 2 PEDESTRIAN VS TRAIN 2 TRUCK.... 8 TRUCK OVERTURN 1 TRUCK VS AUTO 0 TRUCK VS FIXED OBJECT 5 TRUCK VS TRUCK 0 TRUCK INTO WATER 2 TRUCK VS BICYCLE 0 MISC. 5 TOTAL. 64 21

MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2012 MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS MONTHLY COMPARISON JAN 8 FEB 5 MAR 5 APR 3 MAY 9 JUN 10 JUL 3 AUG 6 SEP 4 OCT 2 NOV 1 DEC 8 TOTAL 64 22

BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS California Government Code Section 27491.25 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 less than fifteen (15) years of age, if the surrounding circumstances indicate the possibility of alcohol, barbituric acid, or amphetamine derivative consumption. During 2012, sixty four (64) people died in San Joaquin County as a result of motor vehicle accidents, this represents a 22.8% decrease from 2011. Blood samples were obtained and submitted for toxicological study in about 99% of these cases. California Vehicle Code, section 23152 (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 23152 (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 45.3% of the tested cases. The blood alcohol level was at or above 0.08% in about 39% of all motor vehicle deaths, an increase of 8.8% from year 2011. Results showed that twenty five (25) of the sixty four (64) persons tested for blood alcohol levels were presumed intoxicated beyond the legal limit to operate a vehicle in California. 23

BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Neg..01-.03%.04-.07%.08-.12%.13-.19%.20% & Over OF THOSE TESTED BLOOD ALCOHOL IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 2012 Neg..01-.03%.04-.07%.08-.12%.13-.19%.20% & Over DRIVER 19 1 1 3 6 4 PASSENGER 7 0 1 1 2 2 PEDESTRIAN 5 0 0 0 1 2 MOTORCYCLIST 1 0 0 1 1 1 BICYCLIST 3 0 1 0 1 0 UNKNOWN 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 35 1 3 5 11 9 24

BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS Alcohol 45.3% No Alcohol 54.7% 2012 ALCOHOL 29 NO ALCOHOL 35 TOTAL 64 25

MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 JAN 6 5 2 7 8 FEB 6 7 7 9 3 MAR 6 3 10 5 7 APR 9 3 3 6 3 MAY 13 3 2 5 9 JUN 9 6 8 5 10 JUL 9 10 7 7 3 AUG 5 5 7 3 5 SEP 5 12 12 9 5 OCT 10 1 9 5 2 NOV 2 3 8 9 1 DEC 11 3 2 13 8 TOTAL 91 61 77 83 64 26

COMPARISON OF HOMICIDES BY MODE OF DEATH Gunshot Wound(s) 83.0% Incised/Cut Wound(s) 6.4% Beating/Blow(s) to Body 6.4% Strangulation 1.1% Other 3.2% 2012 HOMICIDES MALE FEMALE TOTAL GUNSHOT WOUND(S) 68 10 78 BEATING/BLOW(S) TO BODY 3 3 6 INCISED/CUT WOUND(S) 4 2 6 STRANGULATION 0 1 1 OTHER 1 2 3 TOTAL 76 18 94 27

HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION Stockton Police 78.7% Manteca Police 1.1% Lodi Police 2.1% Lathrop 1.1% San Joaquin Sheriff 12.8% Tracy Police 4.3% Other 0.0% HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION 2012 STOCKTON POLICE 74 SAN JOAQUIN SHERIFF 12 MANTECA POLICE 1 LODI POLICE 2 TRACY POLICE 4 LATHROP POLICE 1 OTHER-Out of County 0 TOTAL 94 28

HOMICIDES BY THE MONTH 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2012 JAN 5 FEB 8 MAR 13 APR 6 MAY 4 JUN 10 JUL 10 AUG 9 SEP 6 OCT 11 NOV 8 DEC 4 TOTAL 94 29

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY HOMICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 HOMICIDE 46 63 68 93 94 30

COMPARISON OF SUICIDES BY MODE OF DEATH Overdose 6% Asphyxia/Suffocation 11% Hanging 29% Incised/Cut Wound(s) 4% Drowning 1% Vehicle/Train 8% Poison 4% Burn 0% Jump 0% Gunshot Wound(s) 37% 2012 SUICIDES MALE FEMALE TOTAL GUNSHOT WOUND(S) 29 0 29 HANGING 20 3 23 INCISED/CUT WOUND(S) 3 0 3 VEHICLE / TRAIN 6 0 6 OVERDOSE 3 2 5 DROWNING 0 1 1 POISON 3 0 3 ASPHYXIA/SUFFOCATION 8 1 9 TOTAL 72 7 79 31

SUICIDES BY THE MONTH 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2012 JAN 8 FEB 3 MAR 6 APR 8 MAY 7 JUN 6 JUL 7 AUG 5 SEP 3 OCT 8 NOV 10 DEC 8 TOTAL 79 32

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 SUICIDE 74 56 63 72 79 33

SPECIAL SUMMARIES 34

TEEN SUICIDES In 2012 there was 1 teenage suicide investigated by the Coroner s Office. The month of occurrence, sex, age, and method of each case was as follows: December Male Age 18 years old Hanging 35

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SUMMARY In 2012 there were over 119 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 119 deaths 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 45 PHARMACEUTICALS 41 HEROIN 1 COCAINE 8 METHADONE 4 PCP (Phencyclidine) 0 MDMA/MDA 0 (MDMA-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDA-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) ALCOHOL 20 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

TOTAL DEATHS FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS (FIREARMS) In 2012 there were 108 deaths investigated by the Coroner s Office, which were due to gunshot wounds (firearms). This represents neither an increase, nor a decrease from 2011. These deaths were classified as follows: HOMICIDE 78 (72%) SUICIDE 29 (27%) ACCIDENT 1 (1%) UNDETERMINED 0 (0%) 37

INDIGENT BURIALS 38

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 2012 the Coroner s Office processed 55 indigent cases at a cost of approximately $18,700. This was 1 less cases than in 2011, a decrease of $340.00. In 2008, the indigent cremation contract was renewed. The cost per indigent decedent is currently $340.00. There is an increased cost for decedents that are oversized. In August of 1988, because of funding limitations placed on the County s General Fund, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy of cremating all deceased indigents. Exceptions to the policy are at the discretion of the Sheriff Coroner. 39

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY INDIGENT BURIALS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY INDIGENT BURIALS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 INDIGENT BURIALS TOTAL 92 68 60 56 55 40