Coroner Job Description
It is one of the most important jobs. A coroner is a medical professional who helps the law authorities in determining the cause of death. This is a very important job, because the coroner is actually helping in solving a crime if the death of the person is not of natural causes. You can read more about the coroner's job in coroner job description section we have.
To be a coroner, one has to be highly qualified. You also need to get a lot of experience working in this field to be a full time coroner. It is not easy being a coroner as you have to deal with dead bodies on a daily basis. Hence, be sure that this is the field that you want to get into. A mistake on their part could set free a criminal or an innocent person could go to jail. Therefore, a coroner should be well qualified and highly skilled.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Coroner
- The biggest responsibility of a coroner is finding the cause of death
- They have to perform autopsies, toxicology and pathology, and prepare reports for them
- If there is any kind of foul play in the death, then the coroner will have to testify in court
- Follow the strict rules and regulations they are bound by
- Practice only in the jurisdiction for which they have permission for, as they are not allowed to practice anywhere outside
- If they are hired by a hospital, for deaths that occur inside that hospital they have to perform autopsies
- They have to follow the rules and regulations of the hospital
- If they are working with a law enforcement agency, they have work in the laboratory provided by them
- They have to follow the rules and regulations set by them
- They should be willing to work even outside the lab
- Murders can happen anytime, hence, they have to be at constant beck and call
Qualifications Required for the position of a Coroner
- Qualifications for a coroner may be different from one state to another
- One will need a four year's bachelor degree in the science or medicine
- If one wants to work with a law enforcement, then they will have to further obtain a four year post graduate degree
- Deep understanding of the human body
Extra Skills
- Should be well informed in the latest developments in forensic science
- Should be highly skilled in using a computer
- Should be willing to work even at odd hours at night
- Has to be able to work within deadlines
Career Advancement
With experience, the coroner will be regarded as a senior and will train new coroners. The salary also increases with experience.