Death investigation liability of medical examiners and coroners

摘要

Medical examiners play an important role in medical-legal death investigation with the performance of forensic autopsies, body identification, evidence collection, cause and manner of death rulings, and testifying at judicial proceedings. Coroners perform a similar, if not identical, role in some jurisdictions, especially in communities with smaller populations (both will be referred to throughout this article as MEs). These responsibilities are critical components in society but expose MEs to a wide variety of legal liabilities.