Coroner Duties

  • Determines circumstances of death by directing work activities of staff physicians, technicians, and investigators.
  • Determines cause of death by conducting inquests; performing autopsies; conducting pathological and toxicological analyses.
  • Fixes responsibility for death by making scientific judgment of accidental, violent, or unexplained death.
  • Provides information by testifying at inquests, hearings, and court trials.
  • Secures inter-agency cooperation by coordinating interdepartmental activities of public health and law enforcement agencies.
  • Maintains records by recording findings; documenting evidence; filing and retrieving information.
  • Helps relatives obtain insurance and burial benefits by providing information concerning circumstances of death.
  • Maintains unclaimed corpses by providing storage for required timeframe; arranging for disposition.
  • Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes.
  • Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
  • Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock; placing orders; verifying receipt.
  • Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with health, sanitation, and legal regulations.
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.

David Peters

County Coroner

P.O. Box 1691
Hope, AR 71801

Phone: (870) 703-7104
Fax: (870) 777-2425