Mission Statement

We help the community be safer and healthier through efficient and timely medicolegal death investigation.

Departmental Description and Responsibilities

The Office of the Medical Examiner is primarily concerned with the proper investigation of violent, sudden, unexpected and suspicious deaths occurring in El Paso County. Investigations include an examination of the scene by a staff of investigators and a review of the circumstances surrounding the death through post-mortem examination, including autopsy as warranted.

We will conduct ourselves with the utmost level of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency, in accordance with Article 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure .

In addition, the Office of the Medical Examiner services the community by assisting families with funeral arrangements, authorizing cremations, signing death certificates, reporting viable candidates to the local tissue bank for organ and/or tissue procurement, working with other agencies regarding unidentified bodies and mass fatality preparedness, as well as developing and fostering academic and community outreach programs.