annual report of the coroner 2011all violent, sudden or unusual deaths. 2. no physician in...
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
CORONER
2011
STEVE MOORE SHERIFF-CORONER
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR
7000 MICHAEL N.CANLIS BLVD. FRENCH CAMP, CA. 95231
(209) 468-4300 www.sjsheriff.org
OFFICE OF
"'ft"~"::~l!liiiioo. ========= SHERIFF-CORONER = COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN
7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd. French Camp, California 95231-9781
Steve Moore Sheriff-Coroner
Public Administrator
Apri/1, 2012
CD-32
Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors County of San Joaquin Courthouse Stockton, California
Dear Board Members:
The 2011 Annual Report of the Office of Coroner, which contains statistical data of the activities of this office, is forwarded to you for your review and information. This report catalogs the activities of the San Joaquin County Coroner's Office for the calendar year 2011, and offers a full accounting of the cases and medical inquiries into the causes and manners of death of any coroner's case within the San Joaquin County Coroner's jurisdiction.
Your Board again is to be recognized for the great level of support and assistance provided to this office as we work to raise the quality of the services provided to our citizens.
We a/so wish to express our gratitude to all members of the medical community, as well as our governmental agency partners who have provided assistance throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Sheriff-Coroner
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1
-SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 2 -DEATHS REPORTABLE TO THE CORONER 3
INVESTIGATIONS, CORONER CASES AND AUTOPSIES 5
-SUMMARY OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 6 -SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIONS 5-YEARS 7 -DISPOSITION OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 8 -AGE AND SEX OF DECEDENTS 9
MANNER OF DEATH 10
-DEFINITION OF CAUSE AND MANNERS OF DEATH 11 -COMPARISON OF DEATHS BY TYPE 12 -INVESTIGATIONS BY TYPE OF DEATH 13 -NATURAL DEATHS BY THE MONTH 14 -NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 15 -MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 16 -COMPARISON OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 17 -MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 5-YEARS 18 -COMPARISON OF UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE 19 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS BY MODE 20 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS BY TYPE 21 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS BY MONTH 22 -BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 23 -BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS CHART IN VEHICLE DEATHS 24 -BLOOD ALCOHOL AND NON BLOOD ALCOHOL DEATHS 25 -MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 5-YEARS 26 -HOMICIDES BY MODE 27 -HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION 28 -HOMICIDES BY THE MONTH 29 -HOMICIDES 5-YEARS 30 -SUICIDES BY MODE 31 -SUICIDES BY THE MONTH 32 -SUICIDES 5-YEARS 33
SPECIAL SUMMARIES 34
-TEEN SUICIDES 35 -DEATHS DUE TO ILLICIT DRUGS 36 -DEATHS DUE TO GUNSHOT WOUND(S) 37
INDIGENT BURIALS 38
-INDIGENT BURIALS SUMMARY 39 -INDIGENT BURIALS 5-YEARS 40
INTRODUCTION
1
2
2011 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER In San Joaquin County, the Sheriff and the Coroner are one and the same. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Coroner Division is comprised of one Sergeant, three Deputy Sheriff-Coroner Investigators, two Secretaries, a Forensic Pathologist and two Medical Technicians. During the 2011 calendar year, 4627 deaths were recorded in San Joaquin County. Of that number, 2844 or about 61%, were reported to the Coroner’s Office pursuant to California Government Code Section 27491, which directs the Coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of those reportable deaths. This represents an 8.5% increase over 2010 when 2621 deaths were reported to the Coroner. After investigation, 707 deaths, or about 24.9% of the cases reported to the Coroner, resulted as actual coroner cases with the final cause of death signed by the Coroner or his delegated authority. This represents an increase of 4.3% from 2010. The remaining 2137 cases were referred to the attending physicians for signing of the death certificates. Of the 707 deaths certified by the Coroner’s Office, 605 or about 85.5% required an Autopsy, to determine the cause of death. Of these cases investigated, about 31.9% were found to be deaths due to natural causes. Of the natural deaths investigated by the Coroner, about 69.5% were heart related. Accidental deaths comprised about 44% of investigated deaths. Of the accidental deaths, 27% were due to motor vehicles. Vehicle accidents were up from 77 in 2010 to 83 in 2011. Alcohol was found to be present in the post mortem blood in about 39.7% of all motor vehicle deaths. Suicides accounted for about 10.2% of the investigated deaths, and firearms were the instruments of death in about 45.8% of those cases. There were 93 homicides investigated by the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office in 2011, an increase of about 36.7% over 2010. Firearms were the major instruments of death in about 80.6% of all homicides. There were 5 deaths of undetermined classification investigated by the Coroner. In these investigations the cause or manner of death could not be determined. During 2011, the Coroner’s Office processed 56 indigent cases in which the decedents had insufficient funds for interment, a 9.3% decrease over 2010.
3
April 1, 2012
TO: Hospital Administrators, Physicians, Emergency Medical Services and Funeral Directors. SUBJECT: Deaths Which Should Be Reported to the Coroner By law, the Coroner is directed to administer and direct investigation of death which occurs under questionable circumstances. The California Health and Safety Code (Section 102850) and the Government Code (Section 27491) set forth the legal requirements for reporting deaths to the Coroner. Section 102850 of the Health and Safety Code states a physician, funeral director, or any other person shall immediately notify the Coroner when he or she has knowledge of a death which occurred, or has charge of a body in which death occurred:
a. without medical attendance, b. during the continued absence of the attending physician, c. where the attending physician is unable to state the cause of death, d. where suicide is suspected, e. following an injury or an accident, or f. under such circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that
the death was caused by the criminal act of another. Section 27491 of the Government Code, as amended by the 1961 session of the State Legislature, directs the Coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of the following deaths which are immediately reportable:
1. All violent, sudden or unusual deaths. 2. No physician in attendance. 3. Wherein the deceased had not been attended by a physician in the twenty
days before death.
4. Related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion.
5. Known or suspected homicide.
6. Known or suspected suicide.
7. Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents).
8. Known or suspected as resulting in whole or in part from or related to accident or injury either old or recent.
9. Deaths due to drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, cutting, exposure, starvation, acute alcoholism, drug addiction, strangulation, or aspiration.
10. Deaths associated with a known or alleged rape or crime against nature.
11. Deaths in prison or while under sentence.
12. Deaths known or suspected as due to contagious diseases and constituting a public hazard.
13. Deaths from occupational disease or occupational hazards.
14. All deaths of unidentified persons.
15. Where the suspected cause of death is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
16. Deaths of patients in State mental hospitals serving the mentally disabled and operated by the State Department of Mental Health.
17. Deaths of patients in State hospitals serving the developmentally disabled and operated by the State Department of Developmental Services.
18. Deaths under such circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you. If any additional information is desired, please contact the Coroner's Office at 468-4300.
4
Sincerely,
S EVEMOORE Sheriff-Coroner
INVESTIGATIONS
CORONER CASES
AND AUTOPSIES
5
6
SUMMARY OF REPORTABLE DEATHS 2011
AUTOPSY INSPECTION INVESTIGATION REFERRAL TOTAL
JANUARY 38 8 7 190 243FEBRUARY 48 1 1 173 223MARCH 46 3 7 222 278APRIL 56 7 5 189 257MAY 49 4 5 171 229JUNE 43 2 6 170 221JULY 51 2 3 159 215AUGUST 46 3 1 163 213SEPTEMBER 53 3 2 152 210OCTOBER 56 6 6 194 262NOVEMBER 62 5 3 179 249DECEMBER 57 8 4 175 244
TOTAL 605 52 50 2137 2844
AUTOPSY: A FULL EXAMINATION, BOTH EXTERNAL AND
INTERNAL, TO DETERMINE THE PATHOLOGICAL CAUSE OF DEATH. THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER 605
INSPECTION: A TERM USED BY THE CORONER’S OFFICE WHEN
THERE IS SUFFICIENT MEDICAL DATA TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH BY PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF THE BODY AND WITHOUT AN AUTOPSY. THE FINAL DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER. 52
INVESTIGATION: A TERM USED BY THE CORONER’S OFFICE WHEN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS SIGNED BY THE CORONER AFTER A FULL INVESTIGATION, AND REVIEW OF MEDICAL RECORDS WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE BODY. 50
REFERRAL: A TERM USED BY THE CORONER’S OFFICE FOR A
DEATH THAT WHEN AFTER INVESTIGATION IS RELEASED TO A PRIVATE PHYSICIAN FOR THE SIGNING OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE. 2137
TOTAL: INDICATES TOTAL NUMBER OF AUTOPIES,
INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND REFERRALS. 2844
CORONER INVESTIGATIONS
7
2200
2300
2400
2500
2600
2700
2800
2900
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 AUTOPSY 470 558 485 563 605 INSPECTION & INVESTIGATION
257 162 150 115 102
REFERRAL 1805 1834 1816 1943 2137 TOTAL 2532 2554 2451 2621 2844
8
DISPOSITION OF REPORTABLE DEATHS
Autopsy21.3%
Inspection1.8%
Investigation1.8%
Referral75.1%
Total Reportable Deaths: 2844
CORONER INVESTIGATIONS AGE AND SEX OF DECEDENTS
9
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0-1 2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90+ unk
Male
Female
CORONER INVESTIGATIONS SEX OF DECEDENTS 2011
AGE GROUPS MALE FEMALE TOTAL
0-1 8 9 17 2-9 4 1 5
10-19 28 6 34 20-29 72 13 85 30-39 61 26 87 40-49 86 34 120 50-59 109 44 153 60-69 78 31 109 70-79 31 14 45 80-89 14 24 38
90+ 7 7 14 Unknown
(DOE) adults0 0
TOTAL 498 209 707
MANNER OF
DEATH
10
Definition of Cause and Manners of Death Reference: National Association of Medical Examiners Guide Cause The medical reason for the death as determined by a Forensic Pathologist or Licensed Physician. Manner The category or classification of death based on the available information concerning the circumstances surrounding a death. The Manner of Death is used only in the United States for statistical purposes and is not legally binding. The preponderance of medical and/or investigative evidence (greater than a 50:50 chance) is the standard used when determining Manner of Death. The Manners of Death used in California are listed below.
Natural Deaths due solely or nearly totally to a disease and/or the 226
natural aging process. Accident Deaths due to an act, injury or poisoning where the outcome
was unintentional. 311 Suicide Deaths due to an injury or poisoning as a result of an intentional,
self-inflicted act committed to do self harm or cause the death of one’s self. 72
Homicide Deaths due to a volitional act committed by another person to cause harm, fear or death. Intent is a common element but is not required for this classification. 93 Undetermined Used when the information pointing to one manner of death is no more compelling than one or more competing manners of
death after thorough consideration of all available information. 5
As an example, the Cause of Death is “Gunshot Wound of the Head,” but the preponderance of available information is not sufficient to certify the Manner of Death as either an accident, suicide, or homicide.
Total Indicates the total number of all Manners of Death as 707 certified by the Coroner’s Office.
11
12
COMPARISON OF DEATHS BY TYPE 2007-2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 NATURAL 301 306 260 246 226ACCIDENT (MISC) 189 200 192 218 228ACCIDENT (MOTOR VEH) 123 91 61 77 83SUICIDE 58 74 56 63 72HOMICIDE 54 45 63 68 93UNDETERMINED 2 3 3 6 5REFERRAL 1805 1834 1816 1943 2137 TOTAL 2532 2554 2451 2621 2844 % CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
+4.1% +1.0% -4.03% +9.35% +8.5%
TOTAL DEATHS IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
4576 4635 4342 4493 4627
% INVESTIGATED BY CORONER 55% 55% 56% 58% 61%
COMPARISON OF DEATH INVESTIGATIONSBY TYPE OF DEATH
2011
Homicide13.2%
Natural32.0%
Accident (Motor Veh)11.7%
Accident (Misc)32.2%
Undetermined0.7%
Suicide10.2%
Total: 707 Deaths (Actual Coroner Cases)
13
NATURAL DEATHS BY THE MONTH
14
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
2011 JAN 13FEB 22MAR 21APR 26MAY 21JUN 13JUL 15AUG 16SEP 14OCT 24NOV 19DEC 22 TOTAL 226
COMPARISON OF NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE
15
Heart69.5%
S.I.D.S.1.3%
Digestive System2.2%
Other9.3%
Respiratory6.2%
Central Nervous System
2.7%Hepatic
8.0%
Malignancy0.9%
NATURAL DEATHS BY CAUSE 2011
HEART 157 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 5 RESPIRATORY 14 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 6 SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
3
MALIGNANCY 2 HEPATIC 18 Other: Endocrine, Hematologic, Immune, Renal and Misc.
21
TOTAL 226
MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE
16
ASPHYXIA …………………………………………………………. 27 DROWNING 12 CHOKED ON FOOD/OBJECT 4 POSITIONAL ASPHYXIA 2 ASPHYXIA 9 DRUG(S)/TOXIC SUBSTANCES ……………………………….... 154 O.D. ILLICIT DRUGS/DRUG ABUSE 49 OVERDOSE OF ALCOHOL 2 OVERDOSE PRESCRIPTION DRUG(S)/MED(S) 44 CHRONIC IV DRUG ABUSE 0 COMBINED ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 59 BURNS/SMOKE INHALATION ……………………..……….…… 2 RESIDENTAL FIRE 1 BURNS 1 FALL …………………………………………………………..……. 31 DOWNSTAIRS 1 TO PAVEMENT 1 TO GROUND 25 TO FLOOR 4 FROM HEIGHT 0 AGAINST OBJECT 0 OTHER MISC ACCIDENT …………………………………..……. 14 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS 2 HYPOTHERMIA (COLD RELATED) 0 THERAPEUTIC COMPLICATION 3 ELECTROCUTION 1 OTHER
8
TOTAL …………………………………………………………..… 228
COMPARISON OF MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE
17
Drugs67.5%
Falls13.6%
Burns0.9%
Asphyxia11.8%
Other6.1%
MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS BY CAUSE
2011 ASPHYXIA 27DRUGS 154FALLS 31BURNS 2OTHER 14 TOTAL 228
MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
18
0
50
100
150
200
250
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
MISCELLANEOUS ACCIDENTAL
DEATHS – BY MONTH AND YEAR 2007-2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 JAN 18 12 16 13 23 FEB 14 13 24 12 10 MAR 22 16 17 18 18 APR 18 21 17 17 24 MAY 10 18 16 23 19 JUN 22 23 14 21 13 JUL 8 18 17 21 19 AUG 14 16 11 19 16 SEP 14 11 23 20 16 OCT 17 28 13 16 21 NOV 13 13 12 20 26 DEC 18 11 12 18 23 TOTAL 188 200 192 218 228
COMPARISON OF UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE
19
Other/Unknown100%
Indian Remains0%
UNDETERMINED DEATHS BY CAUSE
2011 INDIAN REMAINS 0 OTHER/UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES 5
TOTAL 5
20
COMPARISON OF MOTOR VEHICLEACCIDENTAL DEATHS
Automobile60.2%
Truck8.4%
Motorcycle7.2%
Misc.2.4%
ATV0.0%
Pedestrian21.7%
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 2011
AUTOMOBILE 50 TRUCK 7 PEDESTRIAN 18 MOTORCYCLE 6 MISC 2 ATV 0 TOTAL 83
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS 2011
21
AUTOMOBILE ……………………………………..……………. 50 AUTO OVERTURN 5 AUTO VS AUTO 13 AUTO VS FIXED OBJECT 24 AUTO VS TRUCK 6 AUTO VS UNKNOWN 0 AUTO INTO WATER 1 AUTO VS TRAIN 0 AUTO VS BICYCLE 1 FALL FROM MOVING VEHICLE 0 MOTORCYCLE………………………………………..………….. 6 MOTORCYCLE VS AUTO 1 MOTORCYCLE VS TRUCK 2 MOTORCYCLE OVERTURN 0 MOTORCYCLE VS FARM VEHICLE 0 MOTORCYCLE VS MULTI VEHICLES 1 MOTORCYCLE VS TRAIN 0 MOTORCYCLE VS FIXED OBJECT 2 PEDESTRIAN ………………………………………..…………… 18 PEDESTRIAN VS FARM EQUIPMENT 1 PEDESTRIAN VS AUTO 14 PEDESTRIAN VS TRUCK 2 PEDESTRIAN VS TRAIN 1 TRUCK ………….…………………………………..……………. 7 TRUCK OVERTURN 0 TRUCK VS AUTO 1 TRUCK VS FIXED OBJECT 2 TRUCK VS TRUCK 4 TRUCK INTO WATER 0 TRUCK VS BICYCLE 0 MISC……………………………………………. 2 TOTAL …………………………………………….……………… 83
MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS
22
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
2011
MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS MONTHLY COMPARISON
JAN 7FEB 9MAR 5APR 6MAY 5JUN 5JUL 7AUG 3SEP 9OCT 5NOV 9DEC 13 TOTAL 83
BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS
23
California Government Code Section 27491.25 provides that the Coroner shall test for alcohol and barbiturate levels in all motor vehicle deaths where the decedent was fifteen (15) years of age, or older, and died within twenty-four (24) hours of the accident. It gives the Coroner discretion for testing to determine possible amphetamine level.
It further provides that such tests shall also be performed on decedents less than fifteen (15) years of age, if the surrounding circumstances indicate the possibility of alcohol, barbituric acid, or amphetamine derivative consumption.
During 2011, eighty three (83) people died in San Joaquin County as a result of motor vehicle accidents, this represents a 9.3% increase from 2010. Blood samples were obtained and submitted for toxicological study in about 99% of these cases.
California Vehicle Code, section 23152 (a) states that it is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug to drive a vehicle. Section 23152 (b) states that it is unlawful for any person who has a blood alcohol of 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.
Alcohol was present in the blood in about 40% of the tested cases. The blood alcohol level was at or above 0.08% in about 35% of all motor vehicle deaths, an increase of 9% from year 2010. Results showed that twenty nine (29) of the eighty three (83) persons tested for blood alcohol levels were presumed intoxicated beyond the legal limit to operate a vehicle in California.
Particularly significant was the fact that of the tested forty five (45) drivers of motor vehicles in 2011, twenty nine (29) of the drivers, or about 64% had blood alcohol levels at or above the level presumed to be under the influence of alcohol.
Also noted was the fact that there were six (6) alcohol deaths reported for under the age of 18 years.
BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS
24
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Neg. .01-.03% .04-.07% .08-.12% .13-.19% .20% &Over
OF THOSE TESTED
BLOOD ALCOHOL IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS 2011
Neg. .01-.03% .04-.07% .08-.12% .13-.19% .20% & Over
DRIVER 24 1 0 2 9 9PASSENGER 12 0 0 1 2 1PEDESTRIAN 9 0 2 0 0 4MOTORCYCLIST 0 0 0 0 0 0BICYCLIST 2 1 0 0 1 0UNKNOWN 3 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 50 2 2 3 12 14
BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS IN MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS
25
No Alcohol60.2%
Alcohol39.8%
2011
ALCOHOL 33 NO ALCOHOL 50 TOTAL 83
MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
26
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 JAN 10 6 5 2 7 FEB 8 6 7 7 9 MAR 13 6 3 10 5 APR 11 9 3 3 6 MAY 18 13 3 2 5 JUN 10 9 6 8 5 JUL 15 9 10 7 7 AUG 8 5 5 7 3 SEP 8 5 12 12 9 OCT 6 10 1 9 5 NOV 3 2 3 8 9 DEC 13 11 3 2 13 TOTAL 123 91 61 77 83
COMPARISON OF HOMICIDES BY MODE OF DEATH
27
Gunshot Wound(s)80.6%
Incised/Cut Wound(s)7.5%
Beating/Blow(s) to Body7.5%
Strangulation1.1%
Other3.2%
2011 HOMICIDES MALE FEMALE TOTALGUNSHOT WOUND(S) 69 6 75BEATING/BLOW(S) TO BODY 5 2 7INCISED/CUT WOUND(S) 4 3 7STRANGULATION 0 1 1OTHER (Fire and MVA) 3 0 3TOTAL 81 12 93
HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION
28
Stockton Police66.7%
Manteca Police5.4%
Lodi Police2.2%
Lathrop1.1%
San Joaquin Sheriff24.7%
Tracy Police0.0%
Other0.0%
HOMICIDES BY JURISDICTION
2011 STOCKTON POLICE 62 SAN JOAQUIN SHERIFF 23 MANTECA POLICE 5 LODI POLICE 2 TRACY POLICE 0 LATHROP POLICE 1 OTHER-Out of County 0 TOTAL 93
HOMICIDES BY THE MONTH
29
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
2011
JAN 2FEB 5MAR 7APR 1MAY 3JUN 14JUL 6AUG 10SEP 13OCT 14NOV 14DEC 4
TOTAL 93
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY HOMICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
30
0102030405060708090
100
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
HOMICIDE 54 46 63 68 93
COMPARISON OF SUICIDES BY MODE OF DEATH
31
Hanging31%
Overdose 11%
Asphyxia/Suffocation1%
Incised/Cut Wound(s)1%
Drowning1%
Vehicle/Train 4%
Poison1%
Burn0%
Jump3%
Gunshot Wound(s)47%
2011 SUICIDES
MALE FEMALE TOTALGUNSHOT WOUND(S) 30 3 33HANGING 20 2 22INCISED/CUT WOUND(S) 1 0 1VEHICLE / TRAIN 3 0 3OVERDOSE 3 5 8DROWNING 0 1 1POISON 1 0 1ASPHYXIA/SUFFOCATION 1 0 1BURN 0 0 0JUMP 2 0 2TOTAL 61 11 72
SUICIDES BY THE MONTH
32
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
2011
JAN 7FEB 4MAR 4APR 11MAY 9JUN 6JUL 8AUG 5SEP 6OCT 4NOV 2DEC 6 TOTAL 72
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
33
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUICIDES FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 SUICIDE 58 74 56 63 72
SPECIAL SUMMARIES
34
35
TEEN SUICIDES
In 2011 there was 1 teenage suicide investigated by the Coroner’s Office. The month of occurrence, sex, age, and method of each case was as follows:
January Male Age 13 years old Hanging
36
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SUMMARY
In 2011 there were over 154 deaths investigated by the Coroner’s Office which were caused by an overdose of illicit drugs, alcohol or pharmaceuticals, (pg. 16). These deaths are now tracked in more detail and by specific drug type. The classification of these deaths was primarily accidental. Although 154 deaths were directly caused by an overdose, a significant number of deaths included illicit drugs or alcohol as contributory or not directly related to the cause of death. The numbers below represent the total number of decedents that had the substances appear in their toxicology reports. Many decedents may have a combination of several substances.
METHAMPHETAMINE/AMPHETAMINE 35 PHARMACEUTICALS 52 HEROIN 2 COCAINE 12 METHADONE 18 PCP (Phencyclidine) 2 MDMA/MDA 10 (MDMA-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDA-Methylenedioxyamphetamine)
ALCOHOL 23
Although “Methadone” is a pharmaceutical, it was not actually prescribed to many of the decedents and was obtained through other means. It was included along with this special summary for that reason.
37
TOTAL DEATHS FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS (FIREARMS) In 2011 there were 108 deaths investigated by the Coroner’s Office, which were due to gunshot wounds (firearms). This represents an increase of about 48% from 2010. These deaths were classified as follows:
HOMICIDE 75 (69%)
SUICIDE 33 (31%)
ACCIDENT 0 (0%)
UNDETERMINED 0 (0%)
INDIGENT BURIALS
38
39
INDIGENT BURIALS Under the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 7104, the county of residence of any indigent is responsible for the interment. The Coroner’s Office administers the indigent burials budget for San Joaquin County. During 2011 the Coroner’s Office processed 56 indigent cases at a cost of approximately $19,040. This was 4 less cases than in 2010, a decrease of $1660. In 2008, the indigent cremation contract was renewed. The cost per indigent decedent is currently $340.00. There is an increased cost for decedents that are oversized. In August of 1988, because of funding limitations placed on the County’s General Fund, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy of cremating all deceased indigents. Exceptions to the policy are at the discretion of the Sheriff – Coroner.
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY INDIGENT BURIALS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
40
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY INDIGENT BURIALS FIVE-YEAR COMPARISON
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 INDIGENT BURIALS TOTAL
101 92 68 60 56