What does a coroner do when someone dies?

After the body is collected, the coroner’s office determines a cause of death by reviewing medical records and interviewing the family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else who may have interacted with the deceased. The cause of death is generally written in the coroner’s report. coroners also look for clues to any suspicious deaths and determine whether the death is natural, accidental, or intentional.

What is a coroner's duties?

coroners are officially assigned in each county in the United States. A coroner is usually an attorney or medical professional who can legally perform an inquest--a formal investigation of a sudden or unexplained death. They are often assisted by medical examiners, who are also licensed professionals.

What is a coroner do when someone dies?

In some states, the coroner is an elected official—in others, they’re a medical doctor or lawyer. If you live in one of the states that use an independent coroner, they’re typically responsible for performing autopsies to determine the cause of death. Autopsies are often required by law in order to determine the cause and manner of death, which is required for any death to be reported to the county’s vital statistics office.

What is the coroner's role in a death?

There are two main responsibilities of a coroner: to investigate the cause and manner of death, and to advise families on how to prevent future deaths. A coroner is typically the first person to interview witnesses and look into the circumstances surrounding the death. They are trained to observe and write down everything they see and do not take sides when determining the cause and manner of death. They will ensure that an autopsy is performed where needed, and that all tests are performed to determine the cause of death.

What is a coroner do in a death investigation?

A coroner’s duties deal with the cause and manner of death. While the medical examiner is responsible for the cause of death, the coroner is responsible for the manner of death. The manner of death is defined as how the death occurred. It can include homicide, accident, suicide, natural causes, or something else. A coroner is not responsible for the investigation of individual crimes. The coroner does not determine who committed the crime, only whether the death is accidental or criminal.