The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, located in San Antonio, Texas, is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners.  The primary function of the Medical Examiner's Office is to investigate the deaths of all individuals in Bexar County who die suddenly, violently and unexpectedly, in order to determine the cause and manner of death in these cases.  The Office conducts scene investigations and interviews witnesses, attending physicians, relatives and police.  Based on the information gathered, a decision is made as to whether the case is a Medical Examiner case and whether an autopsy needs to be performed.   Body fluids and tissue are are analyzed by the Toxicology Section to determine the presence or absence of poisons, drugs or other chemicals.

The Office consists of five sections:
    1. The Medical Examiner Section;
    2. The Administrative section;
    3. The Investigative Section;
    4. The Autopsy Section; and
    5. The Toxicology Section.

    1.    MEDICAL EXAMINER SECTION:  The primary function of the Medical Examiners is to examine bodies and perform autopsies in order to make determinations as to the cause and manner of death.  The doctors collect body fluids and tissue from the body and have it analyzed by the Toxicology section to determine the presence or absence of poison, drugs, or other chemicals.

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 2.  The Administration section consists of an Administrative Supervisor who is responsible for managing and coordinating the daily administrative operations of the Office.  The clerical staff provide customer service for all building tenants (Medical Examiner Office, Crime Lab, South Texas Poison Center, UTHSC-SA Odontology), as well as prepare legal documents and other administrative duties.

The Office Assistant IV provides secretarial support to the doctors and handles court coordination for testimony by doctors, for both in-county and out-of-county cases.  She also generates an annual report each year and generates statistical data as needed for other agencies, news media and other County Officials.

The Forensic Transcribers work closely with the Medical Examiners to prepare the autopsy reports and other case-related duties.

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 3.    The Medical Investigators conduct scene investigations; interview witnesses to the deaths, attending physicians, relatives and police as well as take scene photographs.  Based on the information gathered, a decision is made as to whether the case is a Medical Examiner's case and, if so, whether an autopsy needs to be performed.  The Medical Investigators are Certified Peace Officers and require a Bachelor's Degree.

In addition, the Medical Investigators provide security to the Forensic Science Center, which houses the Medical Examiner's Office, the Criminal Investigation Laboratory, the South Texas Poison Center, and the UTHSC-SA Odontology Department.  The Medical Investigators are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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 4.  The Autopsy section consists of a Chief Autopsy Technician and four Autopsy Technicians.  The Chief Autopsy Technician provides supervision and assistance to the doctors.  In addition, the Chief Autopsy Technician, along with the Autopsy Technicians, assists the doctors in performing postmortem examinations and maintains the morgue cleanliness.

In addition, they expose and develop x-rays of bodies, collect gunshot residue and other trace evidence.

They also maintain the Morgue, coolers, surgical instruments and other equipment in a sterile and orderly condition.

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5.    The Forensic Toxicology Laboratory (FTL), Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, located in San Antonio, TX, is an American Board of Forensic Toxicology accredited laboratory providing routine forensic toxicology services for a variety of clients.

Our primary function is to assist the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office in the determination of the cause of death in cases under their investigation. This task is accomplished through analytical postmortem toxicology services, the interpretation of analytical results, and case consultations. These services are also available on a fee for service basis to other medical examiners, pathologists, or coroners who require postmortem toxicology support. The FTL also performs a limited number of human performance toxicological evaluations on DUI, DWI, DRE, and sexual assault cases; also on a fee for service basis. Analytical toxicology services may be provided for hospitals and other agencies for specialty testing on a case-by-case basis; all special requests must be approved before specimens are submitted for analysis. Consultations and expert testimony are also provided to county agencies and other groups on drug-related issues. Our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality toxicology support services, consultations, and expert testimony available and to provide that service in the most timely manner possible.