The Arkansas State Medical Examiner's Office is a component part of and is housed within the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. It is a referral office and laboratory whereby the officials of the 75 counties as well as the Arkansas State Police and other judicial and legal officers submit cases of sudden and unexpected deaths due to trauma and natural disease, and include categories such as self destructive acts, industrial accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and any case where potential criminal activity including homicide may be suspected or presumed.

More than 1100 cases are referred each year to the Medical Examiner's Office. Over 1000 of these cases undergo complete autopsy examination. The office also provides forensic investigators that transport individuals from the county of death to the Medical Examiner's Office. The Medical Examiner's Office also provides expert testimony in criminal courts throughout the state approximately 100 times per year. This also occasionally involves juvenile and federal courts.

In addition to the four medical examiners and staff of investigators, a case coordinator and secretarial staff are employed to type autopsy protocols. Two histology technicians prepare microscopic slides for the doctors.

The autopsy room is served by a Chief Forensic Technician and several deputies who assist the pathologist in autopsy examination and also provide x-rays of bodies.

The Medical Examiner's Office enjoys the collaboration of experts in fields such as Anthropology, Odontology (Dentistry) and Pediatric Pathology. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department of Pathology is also available for consultations.

The office is currently and has been continually accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners, with the last period of accreditation beginning in the year 2003 and extending until 2008.