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.