What is the difference between a Medical Examiner and Coroner?
A medical examiner is generally required in larger populated areas. Some medical examiners cover several counties at one time, while coroners are generally specific to their one county. Coroners also aren’t usually expected to testify in court cases. Medical examiners have their autopsy reports and other reports called in for evidence for homicides and traffic fatalities regularly. Another thing is coroners are generally elected or appointed to the position, which as Andy pointed out, makes it quite possible that someone could hold that position who has little to no medical experience or knowledge. Coroners used to be the funeral home directors in small towns that only had the one funeral home. One little side note…there is an organization of coroners that exists now with a code, bylaws, etc. But it’s possible that people who are looking into geneology several generations back won’t be able to find anything more than a death certificate for their family members, because there wasn’t
