- Bachelor’s degree in criminology, medicine, forensic science or related field.
- Successful completion of medical school.
- Earning a physician’s license.
- Becoming certified in forensic pathology.
- Prior work experience in the medical field.
Death is a fact that cannot be avoided, but when a death happens due to unnatural or unknown causes, the family wants to know why. A coroner investigates suspected murder, suspicious circumstances, and untimely deaths to determine the cause of death. Some states employ a coroner, who is typically an elected position, while others choose to use medical examiners. A college degree and specialized training are required for the career path to become a corner, with state-specific coroner requirements.
questions you’ve ALWAYS wanted to ask a CORONER / MEDICAL EXAMINER
How to become a coroner
The requirements to become a coroner are determined by the laws of each state. Coroners must have a formal education, ideally in a related field like medicine, criminology, or another one. The steps to become a coroner are:
1. Earn a high school diploma
For this position, a foundation in English, math, science, and history is necessary. Planning should start in high school, and enrolling in challenging courses will help. Think about enrolling in AP courses and science and math college preparation programs. Anatomy, physiology, and introduction to health care courses are available in some high school curricula. All of these will help you get ready for your college coursework and introduce you to the field.
2. Complete the appropriate college degree program
A bachelor’s degree in one of the natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry, or forensic science, is required for coroners. You might also consider pursuing a graduate degree afterward. A list of universities that grant degrees in forensic science can be found on the website of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. It can take between four and eight years to complete a medical degree and become licensed to practice medicine, which are prerequisites in some states for coroners.
3. Earn certifications
Coroners may be required by local law to obtain certification as death investigators from a group like the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. The two types of certifications through this association are:
This is the first certification that attests to your mastery of the fundamental concepts and competence in death investigations. You must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, work as a medical examiner or coroner, and have at least 640 hours of experience conducting death scene investigations to be eligible to take this exam and receive certification. After finishing successfully, you’ll receive a certification number to give employers.
You must meet all the requirements for registry certification, have at least an associate’s degree, and have a minimum number of hours of death investigation experience in order to be qualified for the advanced board certification and demonstrate mastery of death investigation. After passing, you’ll receive a certification number that employers can use to check your credentials.
4. Develop important traits and skills
Coroners often deal with some very delicate information and situations. This career demands a unique set of traits for success. Some qualities that help a coroner succeed are:
Coroners are frequently enquiring people who are constantly searching for information and clues that can help them comprehend a situation or person a little bit better. They tend to seek information from a variety of sources and place a strong emphasis on facts.
Coroners focus on details to guide their understanding and research. As a coroner, paying close attention to details will help you complete tasks on time, gather data for death investigations, and communicate clearly with others.
When conducting investigations and reporting, coroners must be adept critical thinkers who can quickly analyze and interpret information, pay attention to any gaps or discrepancies, explain their reasoning, and display high-level problem-solving skills.
Coroners must be proficient communicators both orally and in writing in order to lead a team of investigators and explain the investigation process to family members. Additionally, they must be able to sensitively, tactfully, and skilfully inform the family of a deceased person’s cause of death.
What does a coroner do?
In order to ascertain the cause of death and, in the event of a suspicious or unexpected death, the parties responsible, a coroner supervises examinations of the deceased. Additionally, they look into any incidents of a person dying by themselves or without medical assistance. To ascertain the cause of a death, a coroner may investigate death scenes, supervise and coordinate with forensic experts, and work with a group of pathologists, toxicologists, investigators, and doctors. Although tasks differ based on state laws and regulations, some additional typical coroner duties include:
Coroner requirements
While it’s not always necessary, most localities demand that coroners have medical licenses and be doctors Some other typical requirements to qualify as a coroner are:
Types of coroners
There are numerous categories of coroners, in addition to how they are chosen, their qualifications, and their experience. Below are some typical titles for coroners:
Frequently asked questions
If you’re thinking about becoming a coroner, you might have the following questions:
How many hours does a coroner work?
A coroners schedule is a typical 40-hour work week. However, a lot of coroners are required to put in extra time and be available after hours in case a death needs to be investigated. It can have a very erratic schedule and is ideal for people who enjoy change and unpredictability.
How much does a coroner make?
Do coroners work alone?
A coroner frequently works with a team of people and specialists to determine the cause of death, although there are times when they will work alone, such as when reviewing documents or finishing reports. This implies that coroners frequently collaborate with others while working in their offices.
Do coroners perform autopsies or embalm bodies?
Coroners typically dont perform autopsies. When the cause of death is unclear, an autopsy is typically conducted by a specialist physician with training in forensic science, most likely a pathologist. And even though the body is frequently drained of blood during an autopsy, the coroner is not the one in charge of embalming the body; instead, it is a designated embalmer.
FAQ
What kind of people become coroners?
Coroners who carry out Medical Examiner duties, such as performing an autopsy, may need to be licensed medical professionals (typically forensic pathologists). County or state law determines the jobs of the coroner. The coroner may simply be a local business owner in the majority of rural areas of the nation.
What is the difference between a coroner and a medical examiner?
While forensic pathologists and coroners both have responsibilities related to determining the causes of death, the former are also qualified to perform medical procedures, while the latter may focus on the legal and law enforcement aspects of a death.
