Vanderburgh County Coroner's main duty is to investigate deaths. The following is a list of deaths the Coroner is required to investigate.
- Known or suspected suicide deaths
- Known or suspected homicide deaths
- Known or suspected motor vehicle accidental deaths
- Known or suspected accidental deaths
- Deaths of unidentified person
- Unknown cause of death of infants and children (In the State of Indiana, all deaths of children under the age of 3 must be autopsied if the Coroner is investigating)
- All unexpected deaths
- Natural deaths where no attending physician is present at the time of death
- All work related deaths
- Death involving criminal action