Experience: Dr. Pierce is a 1988 Graduate of Robertsdale High School, 1992 Graduate of Auburn University, 1996 Graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic.  Dr. Pierce received his initial forensic training at the Albuquerque School of Medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico in March of 2010.  He was appointed as Deputy Coroner of Baldwin County by then Coroner Stan Vinson in May of 2010.  Since that time Dr. Pierce has taken several certifications including staged crime scenes, sudden infant deaths, and blood spatter, just to name a few.  In 2015 Coroner Vinson named Dr. Pierce the Chief Deputy for the Baldwin County Coroner’s Office.  In December of 2018 Dr. Pierce was recognized as a Diplomate by the American Board of Medical Death Investigators (D-ABMDI).  Dr. Pierce continues to advance his education in forensic sciences and expects his staff to do the same.  Dr. Pierce was elected and took office as Baldwin County Coroner on January 15, 2019.

The Coroner’s Office is responsible for investigating unattended, unexplained, or violent deaths.  The statute is set forth in the Alabama Constitution and the office is funded by the County.  Once the Coroner becomes involved in a death investigation any recommendations as to if an Autopsy should be performed are sent to the District Attorney’s office and the DA approves autopsies.  The Coroner is responsible for maintaining a chain of custody of the individual to be studied, along with any personal effects that may have been with the individual, and the final release back to the family.  The Jurisdiction of the Coroner on a scene is the body and anything it touches.

The Office of the Coroner is a Constitutional office.  The Coroner’s Office is also responsible for providing Cremation permits to funeral homes, signing death certificates, assisting with organ and tissue donation, as well as serving as a liaison to families in their time of need. 

Currently the Baldwin County Coroner’s office consists of the following employees:

Dr. Brian Pierce, DC, D-ABMDI                   Coroner

Troy Dyess                                                   Chief Deputy Coroner

Daren Montgomery                                       Deputy Coroner

Stephen Street                                              Deputy Coroner

Brandy Byrd                                                   Administrative Assistant

Shanna Bonner                                              Administrative Assistant

The office works 365 days per year, 24 hours a day.  Questions can be answered by contacting the Coroner’s office at 251-970-4051.