Coroners and medical examiners are often used interchangeably, but their job descriptions are different. A coroner is an elected official who investigates the cause of death, while a medical examiner is a licensed physician who performs autopsies and records results. To become a coroner, one must be a resident of the region and of voting age, while to become a medical examiner, one must go through medical school and complete a forensic pathology residency. The coroner system dates back several centuries and originally served the crown.
Both coroners and coroners deal with the death and as a result the two titles are often used interchangeably. This usage is technically incorrect, as the job descriptions are actually very different. The qualifications to become a coroner are radically more strenuous than those to become a coroner, and the two go about their jobs in very different ways.
A coroner is a licensed physician who specializes in forensic pathology. When a death warrants an autopsy, this doctor performs the autopsy and records the results. While they form an important part of a law enforcement team, they don’t necessarily decide the course of an investigation or prosecution of a suspect. Because a coroner’s job is based on professional skill, he is an appointed officer.
The profession dates back to the early 1900s when urban areas began to recognize the need for full-time qualified physicians to determine cause of death. To become a coroner, someone must go through the medical school process, become a physician, and complete a forensic pathology residency. Once the doctor successfully qualifies, he can apply for the position of medical examiner. Because a coroner’s office may employ multiple doctors, it is not uncommon to see several working together under the supervision of a chief.
A coroner is an elected official. To perform this job, a person must typically be a resident of the region in which he works, and the candidate must also be of voting age. In some areas, the office is bundled with that of the sheriff to conserve community resources. Coroners collect the deceased and investigate the cause of death, commissioning doctors to perform the actual medical examination. In a sense, this person defends the dead, making sure that the case is handled respectfully and efficiently.
The coroner system dates back several centuries. In England, this official confirmed the deaths of citizens in his jurisdiction and collected the Crown’s share of the estate. If necessary, he could conduct an inquest to determine the cause of death and identify suspects if someone was killed. Originally, the position was known as the “crown,” a reference to its primary function, serving the crown. These individuals are responsible for collecting and identifying bodies, completing death certificates, and working with survivors of the deceased. They can also be doctors, especially in rural areas with minimal resources, but no medical experience is required.
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