SWGMDI’s: NOK Services and Communication Committee 

Published 3/8/12 

Guidelines for Media Relations: 

Dissemination of Public Information in Medicolegal Death Investigations 

DISCLAIMER: Portions of these Guidelines may not apply in various jurisdictions due to Federal, State and 

Local laws that may require or prohibit certain information being released as public information. This is 

intended for day-to-day functions of ME/Coroner offices. In the event that the Incident Command System is 

activated then National Incident Management System protocol will apply.

INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS

Public Information: 

Information that may be of interest to the general public regarding policy, procedures, or events involving the 

Coroner/Medical Examiner Department or other newsworthy information that is not legally protected and does 

not unduly interfere with the mission of the responsible releasing agency. The definition of “Public 

Information” will vary among state and local laws. 

News Media Representatives: 

Those individuals who are directly employed by agencies of electronic or print media such as radio, television, 

internet, and newspapers. Screen writers, television scriptwriters, student filmmakers, authors, etc. are NOT 

considered press/media. 

Public Information Officer/Coordinator (PIO/C): 

The PIO/C, (Coroner, Deputy Coroner, Medical Examiner, Investigator, sworn staff, etc.), serves as the central 

source for release of information to all press/media and responds to requests for information by the news media 

and community. In no instance should non-designated employees release information to the media. A Coroner 

or Medical Examiner Department should consider assigning a specific staff member to these duties to avoid the 

possibility of releasing information inadvertently or prematurely. 

RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY THE PIO/C

1. Information that MAY be released in connection with a death investigation (Information should contain 

ONLY facts, never speculation): 

a. The fact of death and if appropriate, the general circumstances (i.e. traffic fatality in single 

car rollover). Care should be taken not to release a preliminary cause / manner of death or 

extensive death details in suspicious circumstances or when active investigation is ongoing. 

b. The general location of the death (i.e., city), and the date and time of the death. 

c. If the next of kin has been notified of the death, then the release of the decedent’s full name, 

and city of residence, age, race and gender. 
SWGMDI’s: NOK Services and Communication Committee 

Published 3/8/12 

d. The cause and manner of death when established and finalized. 

2. Information that should NOT be released unless authorized: 

a. The identity of the decedent if the next of kin is not known or has not yet been notified of the 

death 

b. The name, relationship, address or phone number of the next of kin. 

c. The name of the handling mortuary, unless the body has been released. 

d. The home address or home telephone number of any department staff or law enforcement 

officer. 

e. The results of any investigative finding or laboratory test, unless the case is finalized. 

NOTE: Certain postmortem testing may be confidential and not released to public such as 

HIV testing. 

f. Information on a case which, if prematurely released, may interfere with the investigation or 

apprehension of the suspect. 

g. Information which may be of evidentiary value in criminal proceedings. For example, any 

information that only a suspect would know and providing to media would jeopardize pursuit 

of justice such as: 

i. Number of time(s) shot (i.e., “Shot 9 times”) 

ii. Contact wound location 

3. Under NO circumstances should documents generated by law enforcement agencies, hospitals, 

 personal/business correspondence related to a case, suicide notes, (suicide notes may be 

 acknowledged without further comment), etc. be released to the general public or the media. 

a. Only disseminate documents generated by your office. 

GENERAL GUIDELINES IN MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEDIA:

 Maintain appropriate professional relationships with the media when legally and ethically available. 

 Update the media simultaneously and as information is available and appropriate for release. 

 Maintain cordial relationships with the media, so all media personnel are treated with respect. 

 ME/C or agency representatives should not seek personal publicity. 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: 

1. The news media should not be allowed access to any area or scene of a death where there is a possibility 

 that evidence may be damaged, altered, destroyed, or otherwise prejudiced by being published or 

 portrayed. This is generally the responsibility of law enforcement, but MDI professionals should be aware 

 and assist law enforcement with this process as necessary. 

a. On private property, photography, film, or videotape recording requires the permission of the 

owner or representative. 

b. The decedent should not be posed or arrangements made for photographs, telecasts or 

interviews, nor should any departmental personnel pose with a decedent or stage or repeat 

any activity expressly for the media. 

c. The media should not be allowed into any areas that are not normally accessible to the public 

without prior consent from the person whose reasonable expectation of privacy exists. 
SWGMDI’s: NOK Services and Communication Committee 

Published 3/8/12 

d. At the scene of a major incident/high profile case, a preliminary press area may be designated 

as early as possible and as close to the scene as safety and operational requirements will 

allow. 

2. Media representatives should be denied access to the contents of investigative or incident reports and 

 records where release of information would: 

a. Interfere with law enforcement proceedings, including pending investigations. 

b. Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, or give one party 

 to a controversy an undue advantage by exclusive access to such information. 

c. Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy rights of another or violate an 

 employee’s personnel confidentiality rights. 

d. Reveal the identity of an individual who has furnished information to the Department under 

 confidential circumstances. 

e. Disclose investigative techniques and procedures, thereby impairing future effectiveness of a 

 department; or, Endanger the life or physical safety of any person. 

f. Disclose legally privileged information, such as information covered by attorney-client 

 privilege.