For more information or to contact the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, email chief-medical.examiner@maine.gov or call (207) 624-7180.
About the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was established in 1968 as a statewide system charged with the investigation of sudden, unexpected and violent deaths. These investigations sometimes include autopsies.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is a statewide system that is charged with the investigation of sudden, unexpected and violent deaths. The office was established as a state agency in July 1968. It is located in Augusta on Hospital Street, behind the State Police Crime Laboratory. The staff consists of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, an administrator, one Director of Laboratory and Mortuary Services, two Medicolegal Death Investigators, four Administrative Support Staff, two Medical Examiner Assistants, and one grant-funded Research Assistant.
The Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Alice Briones, was appointed by Governor Mills in June 2024. Over 35 physicians who are trained medical examiners volunteer to serve the state and are appointed by the Chief Medical Examiner to function in their local communities.
The OCME is dedicated to providing the citizens of Maine with comprehensive, scientific, forensic investigation of deaths that fall within the jurisdiction of the office, determined by state statute (Title 22, Chapter 711, MEDICAL EXAMINER ACT). There are over 3,200 deaths are reported to the OCME each year. After initial investigation, the office accepts jurisdiction in approximately 2,000 cases, providing complete death investigation and determining the cause and manner of death. When necessary, autopsies are performed to assist in that determination.
Investigations may include interactions with law enforcement officers, scene visits, review of medical records, pharmacy records, photographs, and telephone interviews with family and physicians, as well as external examination of the bodies, autopsies and toxicological and other laboratory tests when indicated. The investigation of sudden unexplained deaths in infants includes a reenactment whenever possible.
The purpose of the investigation is to obtain, as complete as possible, a thorough understanding of all the events associated with and potentially contributing to the death.
Missing People
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner is the official state clearinghouse for all missing people in Maine.
Pursuant to MRS 22, §3034, it is the responsibility of the OCME to maintain files on missing persons sufficient for the purpose of identification when there is reason to suspect the individual may not be found alive. The OCME utilizes the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) to aid in the tracking and management of missing person case files. This database is funded by the National Institute of Justice, and managed by RTI International.
When a person in Maine is reported missing, the Maine OCME is notified. The OCME collaborates with the investigating law enforcement agencies on collecting biometric information of the missing person such as: personal or unique features, medical or dental records, fingerprints, and DNA. Although the OCME enters missing person cases into the national database (NamUs), the decision to make that entry is based on the status of the investigation by law enforcement.
If your loved one is missing and you do not see them listed in NamUs, please contact the investigating law enforcement agency. If you are uncertain which law enforcement agency is handling the case, please contact the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.