Dr. Bennett is the Roane County Medical Examiner and as such is responsible for the investigation of all unusual, unnatural, suspicious or unexpected deaths.  TCA 38-7-108(a) requires that the county medical examiner be notified of the death of any person from sudden violence or by casualty or by suicide or suddenly when in apparent good health or in prison or when death is by burning or a child or when the body is to be cremated.  When any death occurs in a manner in which law enforcement is to be involved there should always be notification and investigation by the county medical examiner.  Deceased bodies cannot be moved without the county medical examiner's permission except to preserve the body from loss or destruction or to maintain the flow of traffic. 

It is the county medical examiner's responsibility to investigate these deaths, make reports to the state medical examiner's office and order forensic autopsies.

Medical examiners are public officials who are appointed by the county mayor, approved by the county commission and nominated by the physician of the county.  Tennessee code stipulates that reports of the county medical examiner, toxicology reports and autopsy reports are public documents are available for a small fee.

Dr. Bennett has practiced as county medical examiner since 1998.  He is a board certified forensic examiner, a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners, and a member of NAME, National Association of Medical Examiners.  If you wish to contact the office of Roane County Medical Examiner, call (865) 882-9775 or email at info@webennettmd.com.