Role of the Medical Examiner

Role of the Medical Examiner

A medical examiner is a physician officially authorized by a governmental unit to ascertain causes of deaths, especially those not occurring under natural circumstances. Not all counties within states conduct death investigation and certification under the guidance of medical examiners, however. Some counties instead elect a coroner. A coroner is an elected official who may or may not have any medical or forensic training. Their primary duty is to investigate any death thought to be of unnatural causes. This is a controversial topic in death investigation and Forensic Science because the coroner system does not require Pathology or medical training. 

Medical Examiner Roles Interactivity

  

Medical examiners generally acquire a Bachelor of Science degree in either Forensic Science, Biology or Chemistry. After earning this degree, they then enter medical school to obtain either a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Once they have earned a medical degree, they apply for a position in a 5 year residency program. Following residency, a prospective Medical Examiner will take an exam for board certification in Pathology and Forensic Pathology. After Board certification is acquired, a Forensic Pathologist usually completes a fellowship, or specialty training in an area of interest, such as Toxicology, Autopsy or Serology. The salary ranges from about $105,000 to $500,000 with 13-15 years of education after high school required.

Georgia Virtual, Autopsy and the Role of the Medical Examiner, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0