This document provides guidance for EMS workers responding to death scenes in 3 types of situations and interacting with coroners and RCMP. It outlines the coroner's role in investigating unexpected or suspicious deaths. When EMS finds a deceased patient, they should preserve the scene and notify the coroner. For suspicious deaths, RCMP leads the investigation. The document also lists coroners in Yukon communities and provides contact information for the Chief Coroner. It recommends EMS fill out reports for review and possible use in an inquest. In some cases where the coroner allows, EMS may transport deceased patients to the RCMP detachment.

1. EMS and Death
How to respond to and interact
with other agencies when involved
with death
____________________________

2. Three Kinds of ‘Death Scenes’
1 - Called to a scene where condition of
patient fails and eventually dies
2 - Called to a scene where condition of
patient is unknown but found deceased
(call comes in as “unresponsive”)
3 - Called to a scene of a known death

3. Coroner’s Role
 Investigate sudden/unexpected or suspicious deaths
 Whether medical or trauma incident
 Does not pronounce death
Who does pronounce death?Who does pronounce death?
+ doctor or nurse – unless very obvious
+ not required that someone ‘pronounce’

4. Coroner and Your Community
Almost every community has a coroner. Who doesn’t?
– DBay
– Tagish
– Marsh Lake
– Pelly Crossing
– Eagle Plains
“Coroner residing nearest the place where death occurred or place
where body is found or nearest the route of travel by which that
place can be most readily reached has jurisdiction to act as a
coroner respecting a deceased person”
Call the Chief Coroner:
 Kirsten McDonald
 1-867-334-3501
 1-800-661-0408, ext 5317

5. Coroners in Community
Beaver Creek – Beat J. Ledergerber
Carcross – Linda Henry
Carmacks – Kendall Tricker
Dawson – Heinz Naef
Faro – Ted Baker
Haines Jct – Doug Makkonen, Tickie Hayes, Allan Biggs
Mayo – Blair Andre
Ross River – Brian Hemsley
Teslin – John McCormick, James Clark, David Hett, Marian Horne
Watson Lake – Scott Cole, Dale Rudd

6. Things to Know
Scenario #1 & 2
 EMS should be prepared and expect the Coroner service to request
a copy of the PCR for their file
 Advise the Coroner service immediately if any samples (blood) were
taken; may request a warrant for them
 Do not remove anything from the body, including IV tubes, defib
pads, etc. Necessary for the pathologist to understand what
happened
 If there are possible physical findings from resuscitation efforts
(CPR) such as broken ribs, helpful to let Coroner know for when
they do an external examination
 Always let the Coroner know position of body when found, prior to
cutting down, extricating from vehicle etc. Critical to determining
positional asphyxia, rigor, lividity, etc.

7. Things to Know (con’t)
fill out an occurrence report:

as per our YEMS Policy and Procedures:

GE-23 – any sudden or accidental death

may be used in an inquest
inform your Area Supervisor and Director
be prepared for a CIS debrief
may get involved with providing counselling

8. Things to Know
(Scenario #3)
 Most deaths that EMS becomes aware of will be
reported by the RCMP
 RCMP will call the Coroner service
 EMS and Coroner service are not trained, nor
should they ever assess, whether a death is
considered “suspicious”; RCMP makes that call
 If suspicious, RCMP lead; if not, Coroner leads

9. 2007 Directive
Chief Coroner, A/Director YEMS and RCMP Criminal Operations:
“The Yukon Ambulance Services will, if requested by a
member of the RCMP who is in attendance at the scene
of a death, remove the body from the scene and deliver
it to the local RCMP detachment. The RCMP will make
this request where there is anticipated delay in the arrival
of the funeral service and where authority to remove the
body has been granted by the coroner. However, a
deceased body will not be transported along with a live
body in the ambulance”
* RCMP should provide the body bag ** RCMP should provide the body bag *

10. 2007 Directive
Chief Coroner, A/Director YEMS and RCMP Criminal Operations:
“The Yukon Ambulance Services will, if requested by a
member of the RCMP who is in attendance at the scene
of a death, remove the body from the scene and deliver
it to the local RCMP detachment. The RCMP will make
this request where there is anticipated delay in the arrival
of the funeral service and where authority to remove the
body has been granted by the coroner. However, a
deceased body will not be transported along with a live
body in the ambulance”
* RCMP should provide the body bag ** RCMP should provide the body bag *