What is the Difference Between Medical Examiner and Coroner?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a Medical Examiner and a Coroner lies in their training, qualifications, and appointment process. Here are the key differences:
- Medical Examiner: A Medical Examiner is a forensic pathologist, which means they are a medical doctor with subspecialty training in investigating violent, sudden, unexpected, suspicious, or unattended deaths. Medical Examiners are appointed to their positions and are always physicians, usually forensic pathologists, who have specialized training in death investigation. They can manage a medicolegal death investigation office, perform death investigations, complete autopsies, interpret toxicology and other laboratory testing results, collect and document evidence, and provide expert testimony.
- Coroner: A Coroner is an elected or appointed public officer whose chief duty is to certify the cause of death. Coroners are often lay people who may not have professional training. They inquire into the cause and manner of a death, and their role has ancient origins, originally referring to the "Crowner", whose job was to ensure that upon death the appropriate taxes were paid to the King (Crown).
In summary, Medical Examiners are trained medical professionals with specialized expertise in death investigation, while Coroners are public officers who may not have professional training and are responsible for certifying the cause of death.
Comparative Table: Medical Examiner vs Coroner
Here is a table comparing the differences between a medical examiner and a coroner:
| Feature | Medical Examiner | Coroner |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Usually a licensed physician with specialized training in forensic pathology | May not have any medical training |
| Appointment | Appointed to their position | Elected into office |
| Term of Office | No specific term length | Holds a two to four-year term |
| Role | Manages medicolegal death investigation offices, performs death investigations, and interprets lab reports | Inquiries into the cause and manner of a death, collects and documents evidence, and provides expert testimony |
| Qualifications | Always a physician, usually a forensic pathologist | Can be a person who works in an unrelated field |
In summary, a medical examiner is typically a licensed physician with specialized training in forensic pathology, appointed to their position, and responsible for managing medicolegal death investigation offices. On the other hand, a coroner may not have any medical training, is elected into office, and is responsible for inquiring into the cause and manner of a death, collecting and documenting evidence, and providing expert testimony.
- Autopsy vs Necropsy
- Corpse vs Cadaver
- Physician vs Doctor
- Memorial vs Funeral
- Medic vs Paramedic
- Investigator vs Detective
- Medical Science vs Medicine
- Death Rate vs Mortality Rate
- Burial vs Funeral
- Morbidity vs Mortality
- Medical Assistant vs Nurse
- Manslaughter vs Murder
- Medical Assistant vs CNA
- Cemetery vs Graveyard
- Murder vs Homicide
- Forensics vs Criminology
- EMT vs Paramedic
- Coffin vs Casket
- Forensic Psychology vs Forensic Psychiatry