• Coroners coordinate the efforts of police officers to determine if a criminal investigation is necessary.police car up close image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
  
  A coroner, unlike a medical examiner, does not have to be a medical doctor or be board certified in pathology or forensic medicine. Depending upon the size of his jurisdiction, the coroner could perform as well as administrate the duties associated with the forensic examination and analysis of suspicious or unknown causes of a death. A coroner must also investigate any death of a person in police custody or a person who died within 24 hours of being released from a hospital.
  
  

Oversee Medical Examinations

• Coroners are not always medical doctors.surgery image by Andrey Rakhmatullin from Fotolia.com
  
  A coroner's responsibilities are generally supervisory. They coordinate the actions of police officers, medical examiners, pathologists and forensic scientists to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted. In some cases, the coroner can actually perform autopsies even if he is not a medical doctor, but even if he does not perform the autopsy, he is responsible for coordinating the medical/legal examination of the body.
  
  

The Scene of Death

• Strict protocols are required for crime scenes.Bloody trace 2 image by amlet from Fotolia.com
  
  A coroner is called to the scene where a death occurred, and it is his responsibility to use the proper equipment and supplies to document the position of the bodies and related evidence. He also interviews witnesses at the scene to obtain useful information relating to the death. He will then supervise the removal of the body from the scene and its transportation to the morgue.
  
  

Determining Cause of Death

• A coroner must be able to analyze toxicology tests.test tubes image by Ruta Saulyte from Fotolia.com
  
  It is the coroner's responsibility to make a determination as to the cause of death of those who have died under suspicious or unknown circumstances, and to rule whether the death was natural, accidental or criminal. The coroner directs all pathological and toxicology tests and analyses performed in connection with the death. If any medical history information is needed, it is the coroner's responsibility to collect and maintain these records.
  
  

Signing The Death Certificate

• The coroner is officially responsible for signing the death certificate. He might also be required to collect other documentation regarding the death, such as burial instructions and documents pertaining to the handling of the remains.
  
  

Notification

• The coroner is responsible for locating and collecting information regarding the next of kin of the deceased. He must also provide any information to the relatives concerning the investigation. If a death occurs as the result of an accident or foul play, the victim could have some personal property on his person at the time of death, such as a wallet, purse or jewelry. The coroner must ensure that these personal effects are inventoried and then made available to the next of kin. When corpses are unclaimed, it is the coroner's responsibility to coordinate the disposition of the body.
  
  

Administrative Responsibilities

• Coroners often handle administrative duties, such as budgetary and financial operations, holding staff meetings, leadership of the department, managing paperwork and testifying in court.