In 2007, the Tehama County Coroner’s Office officially became the direct responsibility of the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, thus creating the first Sheriff-Coroner of Tehama County.

The Operations Division is responsible for the functions and personnel currently assigned there, which consists of a Sheriff’s Lieutenant, two full-time Deputy Coroner Investigators, and a Sheriff’s Service Officer.

Deputy Coroner Investigators are police officers as defined by California statute. They respond to death scenes, gather evidence, and conduct interviews much like their deputy sheriff counterparts who work patrol. Additionally, Deputy Coroner’s are responsible for collecting and safekeeping decedents, locating next-of-kin, and assisting physicians with determining the cause of death.

Tehama County does not have a full-time medical examiner, but contracts with local doctors and dentists to review records or perform autopsies as needed. Criminal or suspicious death cases requiring forensic pathology are also contracted out.

In December of 2010, the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office morgue officially went into use.