Role Summary
Medical examiners or coroners lead death investigations, determine cause and manner of death and issue death certificates that inform legal and public health actions.
Operational Duties
They coordinate scene investigations, autopsies, family notifications and interagency communication with law enforcement and public health authorities.
Systems and Public Health
Offices monitor mortality trends, identify preventable deaths and contribute data for injury prevention and epidemiologic surveillance.
Qualifications and Models
Medical examiners are typically physicians with forensic pathology training; coroner systems vary by jurisdiction and may be elected or appointed with differing medical requirements.