Survey Responses - Scott Hahn (D), County Coroner Candidate
What is your professional experience?
I am an Indiana-certified medicolegal death investigator, with over 25 years of experience in the Coroner's Office. Serving as Delaware County Coroner from 2010-2018. I have a Master's degree in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry from Ball State University.
What is your public office experience?
have held public office in the past but not currently
If applicable, please list offices you have run for or held.
Delaware County Coroner, (2010-2018)
Precinct 67 Committee Person (2018-date)
What are the specific skills that you bring to the position for which you are running?
I am proficient in death scene investigation, forensic evidence preservation, and medical terminology, along with a strong analytical, documentation, and communication background. I have the ability to communicate effectively with law enforcement and provide compassionate, sensitive, and clear communication to bereaved families. I am able to prioritize multiple projects, manage a budget, and work in a fast-paced environment.
What are your top 3 priorities if you are elected?
The Coroner has three priorities in every investigation, under Indiana Code 36-2-14. First is identification: Confirming the identity of the deceased through methods like finger prints, DNA, dental records, or positive ID from a family member. Second is Cause of Death: Identifying the specific medical reason or event that led to the death. Lastly, is Manner of Death: Categorizing the death into one of five legal classifications (Homicide, Suicide, Accident, Natural or Undetermined).
How do your values motivate your run for office?
I possess a strong moral and ethical compass, this is especially important for sensitive roles like the Coroner. I have a service-oriented mindset; I view the office as a responsibility to be fulfilled.
Key Issues
Please share with us your position on a number of issues that are key for Muncie Resists and describe what actions you would take with regard to them. We recognize that some elected positions may not have a direct role in addressing some of these issues, but if you had an opportunity to have an impact, what would you want that to be?
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support the rights of
a. LGBTQ+ individuals?
I treat all individuals with the same level of dignity, professionalism, and legal accuracy, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
b. people with disabilities?
Insure that the office is fully ADA compliant. Investigations must be rooted in accessibility, specialized investigative knowledge, and person first advocacy. Individuals with disabilities are statistically more vulnerable to certain health risks and neglect.
c. people experiencing poverty?
Treat every individual with the same level of professionalism and dignity, regardless of their economic status or social standing. Serve as both a diligent investigator and resource navigator for grieving families. When families cannot afford arrangements, the Coroner can serve as a vital link to state and local aid.
d. immigrants?
Any death of an immigrant requires the Coroner to notify the nearest consulate of that person's country. This allows that government to create an official record, cancel legal documents, and assist in notifying next-of-kin who may be living abroad.
e. people who are racial or ethnic minorities/minoritized individuals?
Ensure that race and ethnicity never dictates the quality of an investigation. Guard against narrative bias where assumptions may lead to a premature determination of manner of death.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support voter access? (This might include your position on vote centers, polling hours, voter IDs, signature matching, the SAVE act, etc.)
I fully support voter access. This ensures that all eligible citizens have a fair and meaningful opportunity to participate in the political process. When barriers such as limited polling locations and long wait times prevent people from casting their ballots, the representative nature of government is weakened.
In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the power of local and state governments. In what contexts would you support resistance by local officials?
Not applicable to this office.
In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the constitutional rights of the people. How would you protect and defend our constitutional rights?
Not applicable to this office. If required to investigate a death as a result, I would be both professional and transparent.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support healthcare access for all?
The Coroner does not directly provide healthcare services, but they do play an important indirect role in health access and public health for everyone. Coroner data is used to track health trends, improve public safety policies, and identify public health issues such as overdoses, infectious diseases, suicides, and environmental hazards.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to address the affordability of
housing costs?
Not applicable to this office.
food costs?
Not applicable to this office.
healthcare costs?
While the Coroner does not directly control hospital pricing or insurance premiums, their work can influence public health spending, prevention efforts, and certain public costs that relate to healthcare overall.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support discussion about science, history, and gender as necessary parts of educating children in our schools?
Not applicable to this office.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support public education?
The Coroner's primary duty is death investigation. The information and outreach connected to that role can meaningfully support public education and community well-being.
What do you think should be Indiana’s priority in terms of the electrical grid and energy generation sources? What have you done and/or what do you commit to do regarding a clean energy economy?
I support clean energy. I've installed solar panels on my residence that produce over 90% of my own power. To date these panels have saved over 254,242 lbs of CO2 emissions or the equivalent of planting over 1900 trees.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to make your specific area of government more transparent to your constituents?
In Indiana, the Coroner's office is legally required to be transparent to the public, but there are specific rules about what information must be shared and what can be restricted. Under Indiana law , the coroner must make certain investigative information available for public inspection. This includes basic details about the deaths they investigate-such as the name, age, address, sex, and race of the deceased; the location of the body; who reported the death; any public official at the death scene; the probable cause and manner of death and where the body was removed to.