County Coroner
In certain situations, the Coroner is required to investigate a death. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the cause of death and to determine whether or not there is sufficient reason for the Coroner to believe that death may have resulted from criminal acts or criminal neglect of persons other than the deceased.
As part of this investigation, the Coroner shall determine the identity of the deceased and notify the next of kin of the deceased.
Remember, this is a working office (24/7) and investigative duties often leave the office vacant.
If you need to reach the Coroner immediately call the Communications Center at (570) 465-9111 and they will contact the coroner or deputy on call.
About the Coroner
As of May 30th 2024 Jessica Chiaramonte became Acting Coroner for Susquehanna County Coroner’s Office. Jessica has worked for Susquehanna County since 2016 and joined the Coroner’s Office in 2017. Jessica started her career as a Burlington Police Officer in Vermont in 2014, until moving to Susquehanna County where she became a Deputy Sheriff. She also worked part time with Montrose Borough Police Department. In June of 2017, Jessica became a certified Crisis Intervention Team Officer. Crisis intervention team (CIT) is a program in the United States to help First Responders react appropriately to situations involving mental illness, developmental disability or emotionally disturbed persons and their families to improve responses to people in crisis. With the case numbers growing each year, it is her responsibility to keep track of each case throughout the investigative process. She also ensures that all data is complete, accurate and is forwarded to all agencies that are involved in each case. In December 2018 Jessica became a certified Medicolegal Death Investigator through the Death Investigation Academy. In May 2019 Jessica became Nationally Certified as a Medicolegal Death investigator through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (D-ABMDI). In December of 2023, Jessica attended and passed the Pennsylvania State Coroner’s Basic Education Course and Medicolegal Death Investigator’s Training.
For information on ABMDI please visit www.abmdi.org
Duties of the Coroner
Scene Investigations – Examine the body, the scene, the facts, and circumstances surrounding the death.
History – Review all history to include recent activities, complaints, circumstances, as well as medications and medical treatment. Interview witnesses, family members and others with pertinent information.
Personal Effects – Document as well as safeguard personal effects and property found on or about the person at the time of death until released to the legal representative of the decedent.
Identification and Notification – Establish the identity of the decedent by positive means. Confirm through investigation the identity of the legal next-of-kin as well as conduct or arrange for personal notification.
Examinations – Determine the need for examinations by other experts as needed. These may include radiological exams, autopsies by the Forensic Pathologists, dental exams by Forensic Odonatologist, toxicological testing of body fluids and/or substances and other pertinent examinations as needed.
Correlate – Review all information obtained from various sources to establish the cause and manner of death in addition to determine if criminal activity or criminal neglect was involved in the death.
Authorize Cremation – Each of these deaths must be reviewed and often contact must be made with the physician’s office or the medical records department of the facility where death occurred before a written release is completed and faxed to the funeral home prior to cremation.
Removal and care of the decedent’s body – Physically remove or supervise proper removal of the body from the scene using the proper equipment and supplies and assume chain of custody.
Completion of all necessary reports, forms or certificates – Write a brief report, completes other forms as needed to finalize the case. Issues a death certificate when the death falls under the Coroner’s jurisdiction.
Technology and Education – Continually research the latest a advancements in medicolegal death investigation. Complete a minimum of eight hours of continuing education each year.
Contact Information
Coroner
County Coroner's Office
309 Public Way
New Milford, PA 18834
Telephone: (570) 278-6630
Fax: (570) 278-6633
Jessica Chiaramonte, D-ABMDI, Acting Coroner
Forensic Case Coordinator/Chief Deputy - (570) 278-6631
To report a death: 24 hours per day – (570) 465-9111
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment
Related Links
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Endless Mountains Health Systems
How stuff works “How Autopsies Work”
National Association of Medical Examiners
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania State Coroners Association
Recalls and Product Safety News