The Responsibility of the Medical Examiner's Office

The Office of the Medical Examiner, District 19 (OME-19) is a state mandated, accredited agency who is sworn to be the voice for the deceased and to determine cause and manner of death according to Florida Statute 406.11, Florida Administrative Code 11G-2.

  • Of criminal violence. 
  • By accident. 
  • By suicide 
  • Suddenly, when in apparent good health. 
  • Unattended by a practicing physician or other recognized practitioner. 
  • In any prison or penal institution. 
  • In police custody. 
  • In any suspicious or unusual circumstance
  • By criminal abortion. 
  • By poison. 
  • By disease constituting a threat to public health. 
  • By disease, injury, or toxic agent resulting from employment. 
  • When a dead body is brought into the state without proper medical certification. 
  • When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea.

The district 19 medical examiner shall have the authority in any case coming under any of the above categories to perform, or have performed, whatever autopsies or laboratory examinations deemed necessary.  

Our Mission Statement 

The primary mission of the Office of the Medical Examiner District 19 (OME-19) is to investigate the death of a human being (where the death occurred, or body was found, in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties) as outlined in FS 406.11.  OME-19 shall determine the cause of death and shall, for that purpose, make or have performed such examinations, investigations, and autopsies as he or she shall deem necessary or as shall be requested by the state attorney.   OME-19 will strive to complete this mission in a thorough, expeditious, diligent, and impartial manner.  All interactions with the decedents and their loved ones and families shall be conducted in the utmost courteous, dignified, and respectful way.  Mutual respect and courtesy will be given to all outside agencies which interact with the OME-19 such as law enforcement and funeral and cremation services.