Medical Examiner

The Medical Examiner is a physician qualified to perform forensic investigations, authorized by Whatcom County, Washington, to investigate sudden unexpected, violent, suspicious, or unnatural deaths. The purpose of the Medical Examiner program is to bring trained medical evaluation to the investigation of deaths that are of concern to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.

The Whatcom County Medical Examiner's Office is an independent agency operating under a professional services contract arrangement with the Whatcom County Government. The office personnel include Medical Examiners, who are medical doctors specializing in the science of forensic pathology, medical investigators, autopsy assistants, and administrative support staff. 

Current Media Releases

Statement Regarding Recent Case:

The Whatcom County Medical Examiner's Office has completed an examination on a 16-year-old female.  Her identity will not be released here out of respect for the family.  The female was found deceased on May 2, 2022 in Blaine, Washington.  The cause of death is asphyxia due to ligature hanging and the manner is suicide.  For further details, please refer to the Washington State Patrol. The autopsy and toxicology reports are not public information.