TABLE OF CONTENTS

Richland County Coroner’s Office

PPM-5.07 — Title: Decedent Identification

Approved by: ___            Naida Rutherford, DNP, APRN-BC Richland County Coroner

Policy:

The Richland County Coroner’s Office (RCCO) will determine decedents positive identification on each case reported to this office.

Procedure:

Determining a decedent’s identity is one of the most important things you can do in an investigation. Positive identification allows for verification of a person’s death. Confirmation of ID allows for:

• Notification of next-of-kin
• Disposition of remains
• Completion of official records (death certificate)
• Criminal proceedings
• Survivor grieving process

Human remains fall into one of the following categories: