Office of The Chief Medical Examiner | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Office of The Chief Medical Examiner In this section: Death Investigation Systems Records & Reports What To Expect Family Resources Provider Resources Frequently Asked Questions The mission of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is to ensure superior death investigations in an efficient system that serves the needs of the Vermonters. We do this by combining medicine and science with information from investigations to determine the cause and manner of death and further our understanding of the death circumstances. Statutory authority is provided under 18 V.S.A. § 5205 . We work with local and state agencies to provide accurate and complete assessments of deaths that happen in Vermont. Our goal is to provide technically excellent and timely services, with compassion and sensitivity for the special needs of bereaved families. Information on Private Property Burials Email the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner or call 802-863-7320 Media Team For press inquiries and requests, contact: [email protected] Frequently Asked Questions Here are answers to questions frequently asked by next-of-kin of the deceased. Provider Resources To report a case or reach an OCME investigator for consultation, call our Vermont toll... Family Resources Here is prevention information, support and resources for families who may be dealing with suicide... What To Expect One way of helping a family understand what happened to their loved one is by... Records & Reports Final Reports of Autopsy can take weeks to several months to prepare due to the... Death Investigation Systems Vermont law created a statewide medical examiner system in the mid-1950s. Death investigation relies on... Subscribe to Office of The Chief Medical Examiner November 3, 2025