Understanding the Role of the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office (BCMEO) serves as a critical pillar of the justice and healthcare systems in San Antonio, Texas. Tasked with providing independent, high-quality medical and scientific determinations, the office focuses on identifying the cause and manner of death with compassion for the families involved.
Core Functions and Responsibilities
The primary mission of the BCMEO is to investigate deaths that occur suddenly, violently, or unexpectedly within Bexar County. To achieve this, the office employs a rigorous investigative process that includes:
- Scene Investigations: Conducting on-site evaluations and interviewing witnesses, police, relatives, and attending physicians.
- Autopsy Determinations: Deciding if a case falls under their jurisdiction and whether a physical autopsy is necessary.
- Toxicology Analysis: Utilizing a specialized Toxicology Section to analyze body fluids and tissues for the presence of drugs, poisons, or other chemicals.
Jurisdiction: When is the Medical Examiner Involved?
Under Article 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, the Bexar County Medical Examiner is authorized to investigate specific categories of death, including:
- Unattended deaths.
- Deaths of children under six years of age.
- Suicides and suspicious deaths.
- Deaths resulting from unnatural causes.
- Deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission to an institution, such as a prison, jail, nursing home, or hospital.
- Cases where the cause of death is unknown.
Updated Procedures for Information Requests
To comply with House Bill 4490, the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has altered its release of information procedures. To protect privacy and adhere to legal standards, the office can now only perform searches using the following criteria:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- ME Case Number
Key Contact Information
For those needing to report a death or request records, the following official channels are available:
| Service | Contact Detail |
|---|---|
| General Inquiries/Reporting a Death | 210-335-4011 |
| General Office Phone | (210) 335-4000 |
| Physical Address | 7337 Louis Pasteur Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78227-4565 |
| Location | Bexar County Forensic Science Center, UTHSC-SA Campus |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request public records?
Requests for information or records under the Public Information Act should be sent via email to the office’s designated records department.
Where is the office located?
The office and morgue are located within the University of Texas Health Science Center Campus San Antonio (UTHSC-SA). Visitors should take Loop 410, exit on Babcock Road, turn right on Merton Mintor, and check in at the first security gate.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office continues to operate as the entrusted authority for maintaining accurate records of death—including time, cause, and age—ensuring scientific accuracy and legal compliance for the citizens of San Antonio.