New Chief Deputy Coroner Takes Oath In Bucks County

WARMINSTER, PA —Bucks County has a new chief deputy coroner.

Danakelly Hampton was appointed to the post after being sworn in Monday by Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck. Buck said Hampton brings to the position a wealth of forensic knowledge, training, and experience.

Hampton has worked in forensics since 2007, getting her start as a forensic investigator in the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office, Buck said.

Hampton went on to build her forensic career at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office in Chicago quickly working her way up the ladder.

In June 2017, Hampton was publicly recognized by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, when given a Commendation for her work after she identified a Methamphetamine lab, alerted the proper authorities, and directed the evacuation of occupants from the building, moving them to safety.

In 2021, Hampton deployed to the New York City Medical Examiner's Office to aid in the backlog of cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She recently returned to the Philadelphia area where she was tasked with turning around a
fledgling Pennsylvania County Medical Examiner’s Office as the chief of forensic investigations.

Buck said Hampton will be responsible for bringing the Warminster-based office up to date with new technologies and getting various office accreditations and staff certifications within the forensics field.

Hampton holds a master's degree in forensic medicine, a bachelor's degree in forensics with a minor in crime scene investigation, and a A.A.S. degree in criminal justice with a minor in police science.

Hampton is also a Board-Certified Fellow, achieving the highest level of certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI), as well as being National Incident Management Systems (MIMS) certified by FEMA.