Northern Regional Medical Examiner Office – Newark, NJ

Northern Regional Medical Examiner Office

The Northern Regional Medical Examiner Office (NRMEO), located at 325 Norfolk Street, operates under the New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. This facility serves as the primary medicolegal death investigation agency for Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Somerset counties. The office is responsible for investigating deaths that occur under suspicious, unusual, or unnatural circumstances, as well as those that pose a threat to public health. While the investigative staff operates 24/7 to respond to scenes, the administrative office handles family inquiries and record requests during standard business hours.

Death Investigation Services

• Medicolegal Investigations: Determination of cause and manner of death for cases involving violence, accidents, suicide, or sudden death when in apparent good health.
• Autopsies: Performance of forensic post-mortem examinations and toxicology testing to gather medical evidence and identify decedents.
• Identification: Coordination with law enforcement and families to positively identify deceased individuals through visual means, fingerprints, or DNA analysis.

Administrative Functions

• Records Requests: Processing requests for autopsy reports and death investigation records from next of kin, insurance companies, and legal representatives.
• Release of Remains: Coordination with funeral homes for the release of bodies once the medical examination is complete.
• Public Health: Surveillance of trends in mortality, including overdose spikes and infectious diseases, to inform public health policy.

Access to the facility is strictly controlled. Families wishing to speak with a medical examiner or investigator regarding a case should contact the office by phone to schedule an appointment or receive guidance on the process.