The Anderson County Office of the Coroner consists of a team of experienced medicolegal death investigation professionals including an elected Coroner; Six Deputy Coroners; One Morgue Attendant; One Forensic Autopsy Technician, Three Administrative Assistants; a Full-Time Medical Examiner who is a board-certified forensic pathologist, that also serves as the department’s medical director and a Part-Time Medical Examiner who is also a board-certified forensic pathologist.
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner consists of a team of experienced medicolegal death investigation professionals including an elected Coroner; Six Deputy Coroners; One Morgue Attendant; One Forensic Autopsy Technician, Three Administrative Assistants; a Full-Time Medical Examiner who is a board-certified forensic pathologist, that also serves as the department’s medical director and a Part-Time Medical Examiner who is also a board-certified forensic pathologist.
Working in a spirit of cooperation, coordination, and communication with local law enforcement as well as other interested parties, this team has raised the standard of death investigation to a new level of excellence here in Anderson County, as well as in the State of South Carolina.
Aside from investigating deaths, the Anderson County Office of the Coroner provides educational lectures and presentations to police, fire and emergency service personnel on both local and statewide levels.
The staff of the Anderson County Office of the Coroner is dedicated to exercising its duties with care, compassion, and understanding towards families in a difficult time of need.
Members of the Anderson County Office of the Coroner serve on numerous committees including the Child Fatality Review Committee, Traffic Fatality Committee, Safe-Kids Committee, and various others.
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner is considered an integral part of a death investigation team and operates as the interface between law and medicine. In accordance with South Carolina Statue/Law, the Anderson County Office of the Coroner requires notification when any death is and/or when:
In accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. 30-4-30, et seq. (1976, as amended), persons have a right to inspect and copy public records. FOIA requests for public records of the Anderson County Office of the Coroner should be directed to Anderson County Office of the Coroner, Attn: Chief Deputy Coroner, 301 Camson Road., Anderson, SC 29625. Request may also be sent via email to accoroner@andersoncountysc.org.
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner, upon written request for records, shall within ten days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) notify the person making the request that it has been received; however, if the record is more than twenty-four months old at the date the request is made, the Anderson County Office of the Coroner has twenty days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) to notify the sender that the FOIA has been received.
If the request is granted, the record must be made available no later than thirty calendar days from the date on which the receipt was sent, unless the records are more than twenty-four months old, in which case the Anderson County Office of the Coroner has no later than thirty-five calendar days from the date on which the receipt was provided.
In order to help offset the costs of searching for, retrieval and redaction of public records from the Anderson County Office of the Coroner, the following fee schedule applies to FOIA requests and are subject to change:
Incident reports (prior 14 days): $0.25 per page for black & white/$0.35 per page for color
under §30-4-30(D)(2) – in person requests
Hourly staff time: $24 per hour
(If request requires specialized personnel, e.g., IT, legal, executive, etc., hourly rates could increase)
Copies of documents: $0.25 per page for black & white/$0.35 per page for color
CDs or DVDs: $5.00 per disk (Audio, video, photos, etc.)
USB Drive: $15.00 (up to 2GB) (Large documents, audio, video, photos, etc.)
Postage: Postage and/or shipping may apply and will be in addition to other fees.
A deposit of 25% of the estimated costs for searching, retrieval, redacting and reproducing records may be required before searching for or making copies of records, this is at the discretion of the Anderson County Office of the Coroner. The full balance must be paid at the time of production of the records.
Inspection, copying and production of records are subject to all applicable exemptions, redaction, and/or exclusions provided by FOIA or other state or federal laws. If public records are available and capable of electronic transmission by the Anderson County Office of the Coroner, per page copying charges do not apply. However, staff time for searching, retrieval and redaction will still apply. Records not in electronic format may, in the Office of the Coroner’s discretion, be converted to and transmitted in electronic format; in such event there will be an additional charge for staff time for converting to electronic format.
A sample form that may be printed out and used to submit requests for public records from the Anderson County Office of the Coroner may be obtained by downloading the FOIA Request Form in the documents section of the website.
This form is for your convenience, but not required. Whether using this form or any other written request format, providing as much information as possible about the public records you are seeking will facilitate Anderson County Office of the Coroner’s ability to completely respond to your request.
Requests for public records should be sent to: Anderson County Office of the Coroner ATTN: Chief Deputy Coroner, 301 Camson Rd., Anderson, SC 29625.
Congratulations to Deputy Ross Ables on the completion of his National EMT Certification. Deputy Ables has been completing his Emergency Medical Technician training for several months, while at the same time transitioning to his position as a new deputy coroner. Deputy Ables recently completed his EMT skills and written examination and received notification that he successfully passed his examinations and now is a certified National Registered Emergency Medical Technician.
Greg Shore, Coroner extends his congratulations to Deputy Ables on his accomplishment. Coroner Shore stated that one of the many requirements that all of his deputy coroners must achieve is their medical certification and that the certification enhances his office’s ability to serve the public and provide background in death investigations. Coroner Shore also stated that his office is one of only a handful in the state that requires a medical certification to be a deputy coroner.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO DEPUTY CORONER ABLES!
Stacey Sullivan, Deputy Coroner recently completed a 40-hour Medicolegal Death Investigation Training Program in Springfield, Mo. Deputy Sullivan was one of fifty students to attend the program.
Deputy Sullivan was excited to attend the Medicolegal Death Investigation Academy and gained valuable knowledge that will assist her in the performance of her duties with the Office of the Coroner. Deputy Sullivan stated that the program was very educational and provide a significant insight into how to conduct medicolegal death investigations.
Greg Shore, Coroner stated that he was extremely proud of Deputy Sullivan and that his goal will always be to maintain the highest standards in training for all of his staff. This program was very important and now allows Deputy Sullivan to challenge the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators examination for board certification.
Brent Simpson has resigned his position with the Anderson County Office of the Coroner. Deputy Simpson has accepted a new position working with Anderson County. Deputy Simpson will continue to serve his community and the citizens of Anderson County in his new position.
Brent has been with the office for over 5 years, after coming from the Anderson County Fire Service as a Fire Investigator. Deputy Simpson advised that his new position would allow him more time to spend with his family and the opportunity to expand his career goals. Brent’s last day will be January 19, 2024.
We at the Anderson County Office of the Coroner wish Brent continued success with his new position and would like to thank him for his service to the Coroner’s Office.
Josh Shore has step-down from his position as a Deputy Coroner for Anderson County. Josh has been a Deputy Coroner since 2007 and informed the office after a lot of thought and evaluation, that he was wanting to spend more time with his family and also due to other commitments did not feel he could provide the time required of the position.
Josh has been a key member of the team for over 16 years, conducting death investigations and providing service to the community. Josh will remain a Reserve Deputy and assist the office when possible.
We wish Josh the very best and thank him for his dedicated service to Anderson County over the years.
Stacey Sullivan, RN was sworn in today as Anderson County’s newest Deputy Coroner.
Stacey began her medical career in New Mexico and then moved to Greenville, SC before relocating to Anderson. She was employed at AnMed as a Trauma Nurse Coordinator before beginning her career with the Anderson County Office of the Coroner on September 4, 2023.
Stacey is a Registered Nurse with over 15 years’ experience in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. Mrs. Sullivan holds numerous certifications as a Critical Care Nurse, Trauma Nurse, Pediatric Emergency Nurse and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). Stacey also holds a Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine and has been preparing for her career in Medicolegal Death Investigations for several years.
Greg Shore stated that Stacey will be a tremendous asset to his team of investigators and is it extremely excited that Stacey accepted the position and will be part of his team. Stacey was selected from a pool of 56 applications and 8 finalist that were interviewed.
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has approved an application submitted by Anderson County on behalf of the Office of the Anderson County Coroner for an award under the Bureau of Justice Assistance Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System program. The approved award amount is $101,460, which will be used to seek accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME).
“Put simply, death has unavoidable impacts on the living, so it is critical that the community has full confidence that the Office of the Coroner follows established professional standards in an equitable, consistent way” said Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore. “By obtaining and maintaining accreditation from the IACME, we can offer a methodology which assures all interested parties that investigations are conducted without regard to a decedent’s station in life or personal circumstance.”
Recent increases in the work rate of the Coroner’s Office have far outpaced the community’s rate of population growth, and the office has seen a striking increase in the number of accidental death determinations. These conditions further emphasize the need for the most accurate and defensible standards that the office can obtain.
“We oftentimes see cases where a death occurs due to circumstances that indicate potential negligence or responsibility by others” said Deputy Coroner Don McCown. “For families seeking criminal or civil redress in these matters, it is imperative that the Coroner’s actions and findings are able withstand legal scrutiny and challenge. Having IACME accreditation will go a long way towards helping us serve the public in these matters.”
ANDERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF THE CORONER—FAST FACTS
Coroner Shore wanted to thank South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit with us in Anderson recently and let him know that he thoroughly enjoyed his visit.
Coroner Shore was recently recognized at the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce for his citizenship and support of Anderson City.
Coroner Shore has been involved in the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce for many years and has been a strong voice in the community for the development and growth of Anderson
Greg Shore, Coroner and Josh Shore, Deputy Coroner recently completed training at the South Carolina Coroner’s Association Annual Training Symposium held at Kingston Plantation in Mrytle Beach, SC. Coroner Shore stated that this was one of the best training sessions that has been held in a while.
The training session is held each year to allow Coroners, Deputy Coroners and other Law Enforcement Agencies from across the State of South Carolina to receive annual mandatory training that is required by South Carolina Law.
Several speakers from across the United States provided insight into the various death investigation concepts and analysis of several high-profile cases. Mr. Shore stated that the information provided in the training will enhance the investigators knowledge and allow other investigators to learn from agencies that have experience unique cases.
Don McCown, Chief Deputy Coroner completed a five-day course of instruction in Advanced Homicide Investigation conducted by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officers Association in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The course was attended by investigators from across the United States and included several foreign countries. Instructors that presented the various topics were from multiple state and federal agencies and involved various cases analysis. The training also included new techniques that are being utilized to solve homicide cases and assisting with cold-case investigations.
Mr. Shore states that this type of training is extremely important to ensure that we can provide the best service to our citizens and provide the most up-to-date knowledge when dealing with the various death investigations that we are responsible for.
Greg Shore announced that three of his Deputy Coroners completed a one-day seminar on Basic Crime Scene Investigation in Greenwood, SC.
Charlie Boseman, Senior Deputy Coroner, Brent Simpson, Senior Deputy Coroner and Ty Blackwell, Deputy Coroner completed the training.
The seminar was conducted by the Greenwood County Coroner’s Office and included multiple topics in evidence preservation. Mr. Shore stated that this type of training is extremely important to not only ensure Anderson County residents that his office is maintaining the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of Medico-legal Death Investigation, but to also ensure that the office is in compliance with national standards.
Brent Simpson, Senior Deputy Coroner was honored at the monthly Crime Stopper’s Meeting for his work on a recent homicide case.
Greg Shore, Coroner nominated Deputy Simpson for his diligence on a recent case that was initially reported as a natural death. During his examination of the decedent, Deputy Simpson examined discovered injuries that were consistent with a recent physical assault.
Deputy Simpson requested a further evaluation and complete autopsy. After their completion it was determined that the victim had been in a physical confrontation with a friend and the confrontation resulted in the victim’s death.
Mr. Shore stated that due to Deputy Simpson’s persistence and thorough investigation, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office was able to effect an arrest and charge the person responsible for the individuals death.
Don McCown, Chief Deputy Coroner and Ty Blackwell, Deputy Coroner recently completed a course titled Prehospital Trauma Life Support on October 26, 2022. The course consists of 16 hours of training and covers topics for diagnosing and treating various traumatic injuries.
Many of these injuries are seen in people that are involved in motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, falls, and/or industrial accidents.
Greg Shore, Coroner states that the Office of the Coroner handles a multitude of deaths related to trauma each year and it is extremely important for his staff to maintain a strong understanding of the various mechanisms for traumatic injuries that can result in death.
Brent Simpson, Deputy Coroner completed a 40-hour course of training in Shooting Incident Reconstruction. The course was conducted in Fredericksburg, Maryland.
The course involved classroom and hands-on training for reconstructing shooting incidents. The course instructs participates in the art of determining trajectory analysis of firearms and bullet paths. This information is extremely important when trying to determine how someone sustains a gunshot wound and the distance and/or angles of the bullet trajectory.
Deputy Simpson advised that the training was excellent and covered many areas in incident reconstruction and evidence collection for criminal cases. Deputy Simpson praised the course for its extensive hand-on training approach.
Anderson, SC (30, June 2022, 10:00 p.m. EDT) – Greg Shore, Coroner announced tonight that Charlie Boseman, Deputy Coroner for Anderson County was presented the South Carolina Coroners Association Deputy Coroner of the Year Award for 2022 at their annual conference being held in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The South Carolina Coroners Association represents the Coroners of the forty-six counties in the State. Each year the Association hosts the annual conference and training event for all Coroners, Deputy Coroners, and other medicolegal death investigators. Individuals attending the conference receive training in various aspects of medicolegal death investigation as well as meet the annual state training requirements. In addition, each year an award for the Coroner of the Year, Deputy Coroner of the Year and the Sue Townsend Award are presented to individuals that have demonstrated highest standards in medicolegal death investigation.
Greg Shore, Coroner stated that Charlie Boseman has served as a Deputy Coroner under his office for over 26 years and has been involved in death investigations for over 48 years. Charlie not only serves as a Deputy Coroner, but also a Forensic Autopsy Technician assisting in autopsies.
Mr. Shore stated that Charlie has been an inspiration not only to my deputies and staff, but also a number of other coroners, allied health personnel, and law enforcement officers for many years. Mr. Boseman is an invaluable asset to my office as well as the field of death investigation.
Greg Shore stated “I can think of no better way to honor a man that has spent his life speaking for the dead” than to recognize him with this award. Mr. Shore further stated that would like to thank the South Carolina Coroners Association for selecting Charlie Boseman for this distinguish recognition.
Katrina Romo has been hired as the New Morgue Attendant with the Anderson County Office of the Coroner. Greg Shore wanted to congratulate Ms. Romo on her accomplishment and welcome her to his team.
Katrina competed for the position against 17 other applicants and was chosen as the final candidate. Ms. Romo will be responsible for the overall coordination of deceased persons admitted to the AnMed/Anderson County Morgue located at the AnMed Health Medical Center.
Ms. Romo will responsible tracking individuals admitted to the morgue, maintaining chain of custody and releasing deceased persons to the appropriate funeral homes. Ms. Romo will also be assisting the Forensic Pathologist with autopsies and assisting investigators with specimen collections, when needed.
Greg Shore, Coroner stated that due to various legal issues and requirements for body storage, chain of custody and the number of bodies the office is now handling, this position has become a much need addition to his office and will assist families during the most difficult time in their lives.
Don McCown, Chief Deputy Coroner completed 24 hours of training in Crime Scene Photography in Columbia, SC this week.
The Crime Scene Photography Course was sponsored by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association and involved Law Enforcement Offices from across South Carolina.
The course involved classroom and hands-on training for photographing crime scenes, motor vehicle accidents, deceased persons, and specific evidence related to cases.
Chief Deputy McCown states that the training was excellent and covered many new areas in crime scene photography and evidence requirements for criminal cases.
Greg Shore, Coroner states that he wants to make sure that all of his staff attends training that ensures we maintain up-to-date knowledge of the ever-changing field of death investigations.
Josh Shore successfully passed the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Examination today. The ABMDI Certification is considered the “Golden” Standard for death investigators certification.
The candidate must document completion and training in over 300 skills and have conducted over 600 hours of death investigations to be eligible to take the written examination consisting of over 250 questions and covering eight specific areas of death investigations.
Josh becomes the fifth deputy in the Anderson County Office of the Coroner to successfully receive the distinguish ABMDI Certification and the 87th in the State of South Carolina.
Greg Shore, Coroner stated that this is a significate accomplishment and further ensures the community that his office is maintaining the highest professional standards in the field of death investigations.
Don McCown, Chief Deputy Coroner recently completed a course titled Advanced Medical Life Support. The course consists of 16 hours of training and covers many specialized medical topics for diagnosing and treating various medical conditions.
Many of these conditions are seen in people that suffer sudden death and/or may be under care for the various conditions that could result in a person’s death.
Greg Shore, Coroner states that 85% of the cases that the Coroner’s Office handles are related to specific medical conditions and/or signs and symptoms that the person presented with prior to death. It is extremely important for his staff to maintain a strong medical background and understand the various diseases and medical conditions.
