Coroner

Coroner

A coroner, a government official, is tasked with various responsibilities including:

- Investigating human deaths
- Determining the cause of death
- Issuing death certificates
- Maintaining death records
- Responding to deaths in mass disasters
- Identifying unknown deceased individuals
- Performing other functions as dictated by local laws

Local regulations outline the types of deaths that fall under the coroner's jurisdiction, typically encompassing sudden, unexpected deaths without an attending physician, as well as those deemed suspicious or violent.

Depending on the jurisdiction, the coroner may personally determine the cause of death or preside over a special court, known as a "coroner's jury." The institution of the coroner originated in medieval England and has been adopted by numerous countries influenced by English or United Kingdom law.

Additional responsibilities within judicial investigations may require specific legal and medical qualifications. The qualifications necessary for coroners vary significantly among jurisdictions and are detailed in each jurisdiction's regulations.

In England and Wales, individuals seeking to become coroners must hold a degree in a medical or legal field, such as criminology or biomedical sciences. Moreover, coroners must have at least five years of prior experience as a lawyer (solicitor/barrister) or physician in the UK. This requirement aligns with the role of the coroner in determining the cause of death in cases involving sudden, unexpected, suspicious, or authority-controlled deaths.