Information for News Media
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner recognizes the important role of the news media in reporting homicides, suicides and other deaths occurring in Virginia. We are happy to provide you with as much information as we can within the framework of the laws that govern our activities.
- The Code of Virginia classifies any information regarding a medical examiner case as confidential and allows the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to release only the cause and manner of death after the medical examiner’s office has completed its investigation of the case. This information may be obtained from the Medical Examiner District Office that handled the case.
- Statistical information regarding death in Virginia is contained in several reports compiled by various projects within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. For overall annual statistics go to Annual Reports. There are other reports that analyze child deaths, deaths due to domestic violence, all deaths of women that occur during pregnancy or within one year of pregnancy, and all suicides, homicides and other fatalities caused by accidental firearm injuries, legal interventions and acts of terrorism. For access to these reports go to the Fatality Review and Surveillance Programs section of this Web site.
If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact the Medical Examiner District Office that serves your locality.
