Every county or parrish in every state has either a coroner or a medical examiner (ME). The terms are used interchangeably but the two are different. The word coroner comes from the English office "crowner of the King" or "the keeper of the pleas of the crown".
As early as the 11th century the coroner's duties were many, including determining cause of death. He would also investigate and judge said deaths. Early English settlers, in the 1600's, brought with them the office of the coroner and it's inquisitional way of investigating and judging death to America.
The medical examiner traces its origins to Scotland and France in the 1800's. You must hold at least a MD to hold this office and often the modern ME also has forensic and pathology training.
Since the King had appointed the office of coroner it was ran like a popularity contest and continued that way in the States, leading to elections today. Your coroner may be a sherrif, a mortician or a MD. In 1940, Congress passed a law to make it uniform in all states to have the medical examiner system but some have held out. California for example. Usually when you have a coroner today, he is a medical doctor and he/she hires forensic pathologists to do the actual work.
What system do you have? Did you know there was a difference? Does it surprise you that anyone can be a coroner? Maybe I should run? Hmmmmmmm......
As early as the 11th century the coroner's duties were many, including determining cause of death. He would also investigate and judge said deaths. Early English settlers, in the 1600's, brought with them the office of the coroner and it's inquisitional way of investigating and judging death to America.
The medical examiner traces its origins to Scotland and France in the 1800's. You must hold at least a MD to hold this office and often the modern ME also has forensic and pathology training.
Since the King had appointed the office of coroner it was ran like a popularity contest and continued that way in the States, leading to elections today. Your coroner may be a sherrif, a mortician or a MD. In 1940, Congress passed a law to make it uniform in all states to have the medical examiner system but some have held out. California for example. Usually when you have a coroner today, he is a medical doctor and he/she hires forensic pathologists to do the actual work.
What system do you have? Did you know there was a difference? Does it surprise you that anyone can be a coroner? Maybe I should run? Hmmmmmmm......
We have a sheriff coroner, so that's law enforcement hiring out the medical side. And of course they think it's the optimal system. :) You could run in Marin County... ;)
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