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Departments: Coroner’s Office

Coroner

Coroner's Office

The Coroner’s Office is a law enforcement investigative office mandated by the Statutes of the State of Illinois to investigate deaths within its jurisdiction, and the office’s operations are governed by the Coroners Act (55 ILCS 5/ et seq.). The DeKalb County Coroner is an elected position and is a multifaceted department which operates 24 hours a day.

The coroner and/or the deputy coroners’ responsibilities are to investigate all deaths of persons who have died In a sudden, violent, unexpected or suspicious manner.

To determine the identity of an individual in circumstances where identity is difficult.

To notify next of kin.

To determine cause and manner of death, which involves examining medical records, scene Investigations, ordering autopsies, toxicology, histology and any other laboratory testing that could aid In determining the cause of death.

The coroner collaborates with law enforcement, EMS, forensic pathologists, and other experts to gather information to assist with piecing together the events surrounding a death.

The coroner will categorize the manner of death as natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined, depending on the circumstances.

The coroner is responsible for accurately completing the medical portion of the death certificate, listing cause and manner.

A few examples of calls received by this department: deaths of all patients registered with a hospice agency, all hospital deaths which occur within 24hrs of admittance, all anesthesia (surgical) deaths, fetal deaths over 20 weeks gestation, and any death where a hip fracture occurred within 13 months of death.

The coroner issues cremation permits for all cremations of decedents who have died within the county, regardless of the location of cremation. Currently, the permit fee for DeKalb County is $100.00. It is at the coroner’s discretion to waive this fee In certain circumstances, such as the death of a child.

The coroner may summon a jury to conduct an inquest Into cause and manner of death. The essence of the juror’s responsibility is to establish the manner, (suicide, homicide, accident, natural or undetermined), as the cause is often readily apparent and obvious based on the facts, circumstances, medical evidence, and in some cases toxicology and autopsy results.

Currently, the coroner’s staff is made up of one full time executive assistant/deputy, a chief deputy coroner and five deputy coroners, all of whom are called out based on their location to the scene and their availability.

It is the purpose of this office to do professional medicolegal death investigations with compassion and respect. Our commitment: Serving with Sensitivity, Leading with Integrity.

LINDA BESLER
Coroner

Phone: 815-895-7206
FAX: 815-895-1626
lbesler@dekalbcounty.org

Public Safety Building
150 North Main Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
Hours:  8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 

LINDA BESLER
Coroner

Phone: 815-895-7206
FAX: 815-895-1626
lbesler@dekalbcounty.org

Public Safety Building
150 North Main Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
Hours:  8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 

The Coroner’s Office is a law enforcement investigative office mandated by the Statutes of the State of Illinois to investigate deaths within its jurisdiction, and the office’s operations are governed by the Coroners Act (55 ILCS 5/ et seq.). The DeKalb County Coroner is an elected position and is a multifaceted department which operates 24 hours a day.

The coroner and/or the deputy coroners’ responsibilities are to investigate all deaths of persons who have died In a sudden, violent, unexpected or suspicious manner.

To determine the identity of an individual in circumstances where identity is difficult.

To notify next of kin.

To determine cause and manner of death, which involves examining medical records, scene Investigations, ordering autopsies, toxicology, histology and any other laboratory testing that could aid In determining the cause of death.

The coroner collaborates with law enforcement, EMS, forensic pathologists, and other experts to gather information to assist with piecing together the events surrounding a death.

The coroner will categorize the manner of death as natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined, depending on the circumstances.

The coroner is responsible for accurately completing the medical portion of the death certificate, listing cause and manner.

A few examples of calls received by this department: deaths of all patients registered with a hospice agency, all hospital deaths which occur within 24hrs of admittance, all anesthesia (surgical) deaths, fetal deaths over 20 weeks gestation, and any death where a hip fracture occurred within 13 months of death.

The coroner issues cremation permits for all cremations of decedents who have died within the county, regardless of the location of cremation. Currently, the permit fee for DeKalb County is $100.00. It is at the coroner’s discretion to waive this fee In certain circumstances, such as the death of a child.

The coroner may summon a jury to conduct an inquest Into cause and manner of death. The essence of the juror’s responsibility is to establish the manner, (suicide, homicide, accident, natural or undetermined), as the cause is often readily apparent and obvious based on the facts, circumstances, medical evidence, and in some cases toxicology and autopsy results.

Currently, the coroner’s staff is made up of one full time executive assistant/deputy, a chief deputy coroner and five deputy coroners, all of whom are called out based on their location to the scene and their availability.

It is the purpose of this office to do professional medicolegal death investigations with compassion and respect. Our commitment: Serving with Sensitivity, Leading with Integrity.

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