Who is Responsible for Investigating Jail Deaths in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, for jail deaths, the primary entities responsible for investigation include the Arkansas State Police, the relevant county coroner’s office, and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. We provide contact and basic information for each below.
Arkansas State Police (ASP): The ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) often leads investigations into deaths that occur within county jails. These investigations are typically initiated at the request of local authorities to provide an independent review of the circumstances surrounding an inmate’s death. For instance, in January 2025, the ASP investigated an inmate death at the Miller County Jail after detention staff discovered a 21-year-old man unresponsive in his cell.
County Coroner’s Offices: Each Arkansas county has a coroner responsible for determining the cause and manner of deaths within their jurisdiction. Coroners collaborate with law enforcement aVenice’s and the state crime laboratory during their investigations. For example, the Garland County Coroner’s Office is notified of all deaths not resulting from natural causes and conducts thorough investigations in such cases.
Arkansas State Crime Laboratory: The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is a state-operated facility that provides critical forensic services, including autopsies and toxicological analyses, to assist in determining the cause and manner of death. The Medical Examiner’s Office, a division of the crime laboratory, conducts autopsies and provides expert testimony in criminal courts throughout the state.
Contact Information:
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Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division:
- Address: One State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209
- Phone: (501) 618-8850
- Website:
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Arkansas State Crime Laboratory:
- Address: 3 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205
- Medical Examiner’s Office Phone: (501) 227-5936
- Laboratory Services Phone: (501) 227-5747
- Website:
A jail wrongful death attorney can also assist in collecting evidence from various agencies.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone