Deputy coroners, coroner technicians, and coroner investigators are all examples of coroner jobs. These positions collaborate with local law enforcement to determine the cause and manner of death of people found at a sudden death scene. Handling dead bodies and any personal belongings that accompany them, speaking with the deceased’s families, and assisting pathologists in performing autopsies are all common responsibilities. The regional and local governments are the primary employers of these various types of jobs.
When no physician is specifically in attendance of the deceased, or the deceased may have died under suspicious circumstances, a sudden death is determined. The chief responsibility of a deputy coroner is to investigate the body and the scene of death to determine how the person died. He may also be required to notify the individual’s next of kin and to respond to any questions the family may have about the manner of death. Any personal items discovered on the deceased’s body are cataloged by the deputy coroner and released to the family after the investigation is completed.
Autopsies of bodies discovered at sudden death scenes may also be performed by someone in this position. He could be present to answer any questions the pathologist conducting the autopsy might have about the body’s condition and the scene where it was discovered. The deputy coroner is frequently called to testify in court about the body, the scene where it was discovered, and any relevant medical information uncovered during the autopsy as it pertains to his investigation. He is frequently the most senior of the morgue’s coroner jobs, and he may be in charge of additional employees to whom he delegated responsibilities.
A deputy coroner technician assists the deputy coroner with his duties and the management of the local morgue. Technician positions can be used to gain experience in order to advance to more responsible coroner positions. This position is in charge of all paperwork related to the deceased, including filing the death certificate after the deputy coroner has completed it, cataloging the deceased’s belongings, and storing unclaimed items. The technician may be called upon to prepare bodies for autopsy and supervise the release of bodies to family members after the coroner’s investigation is completed.
Coroner investigators may be employed by some offices. These types of coroner jobs report to the deputy coroner and help with the completion and filing of death investigation reports. Other responsibilities are similar to those of a coroner technician, and may include transporting bodies to and from the morgue.