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State Medical Examiner's Office

State Medical Examiner's Office

The mission of the State Medical Examiner System is to investigate, identify and gain an understanding of unnatural deaths occurring throughout Tennessee. Our purpose is to serve our fellow citizens by protecting the public's health and safety, participating in the criminal justice and health systems, and providing data for vital statistical purposes.

Services provided by the County Examiners:

  • Conducting death investigations in coordination with various professionals.
  • Providing an opinion as to the cause and manner of death.
  • Interacting with local and state government officials and departments

Services provided by the State Examiner:

  • Educating and training County Medical Examiners and law enforcement in death investigation.
  • Consulting service to County Medical Examiners and other local and state departments in forensic pathology.
  • Archiving medical examiner and autopsy reports from throughout Tennessee.
  • Supplying copies of autopsy reports and/or reports of investigation by county medical examiners to the public.
  • Ensuring payments are made to pathologists for autopsies performed through the medical examiner program.

To contact the State Medical Examiner:

State Medical Examiner
Center for Forensic Medicine
850 R. S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37216

Phone: (615) 743-1800
Fax: (615) 743-1890