Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Guidance for funeral homes about coronavirus

Information about safe funeral preparations and getting samples for COVID-19 testing.

In this page:

Services

Forensic services

Get a San Francisco death certificate

You can apply for a copy of a death certificate for someone who died in San Francisco after 1906.

Search unidentified persons

We post drawings of John and Jane Doe(s) to help people identify them.

We're hiring a Chief Medical Examiner

We are recruiting nationwide for a new Chief Medical Examiner to lead the department. For information about the position and how to apply, download the brochure PDF.

Download brochure

Resources

Guidance for funeral homes about COVID-19

Information about precautions and getting samples for COVID-19 testing.

Annual Reports from 2012 to 2018

Includes charts on deaths involving vehicles, deaths involving firearms, suicides and childhood deaths.

Forensic examinations by a medical examiner

What happens when a body is sent for a forensic exam and how long it will take.

How is a Medical Examiner different from a Coroner?

How these two positions differ both historically and specifically within the City and County of San Francisco.

About

The OCME provides forensic science services to the public and agencies of the City and County of San Francisco. We investigate sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths. We also track the health and healthcare provided within the community. We work to offer compassion to families through times of great sorrow and stress. And we complete investigations as neutral forensic scientists, so our work must be accurate and complete.