Chief Medical Examiner

OCME
Henry M. Nields, MD, PhD

Key Resources

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Office Locations

    Headquarters
    720 Albany Street
    Boston, MA 02118
    (617) 267-6767
    (800) 962-7877 Toll Free
    (617) 266-6763 Fax
    Directions and Map

    Holyoke Office
     1221 Main Street
    Catherine Horan Building, Suite 115
    Holyoke, MA 01040
    (413) 538-6213
    (800) 445-5889 Toll Free
    (413) 538-6862 Fax
    Directions and Map

    Worcester Office
    55 Lake Avenue North
    Worcester, MA 01655
    (508) 856-3501
    (508) 856-0015 Fax
    Directions and Map

OCME Mission

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for investigating the cause and manner of death in violent, suspicious or unexplained deaths.

History of the OCME

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner was established in 1983 pursuant to Chapter 38 of the General Laws of Massachusetts. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive system for conducting death investigation services in the Commonwealth. Prior to 1983, the death investigations were handled regionally by the individual counties of the Commonwealth under the direction of each district attorney..