Medicolegal Death Investigation
Medical Examiner (ME) - correct answer-an appointed official and a physician (doesn't have
to be a forensic pathologist ) authorized by state statute to investigate & examine persons
dying suddenly or unexpectedly.
*does not need specialized pathology training
What is required for a successful death investigation? - correct answer-Knowledge,
involvement, and expertise of a number of individuals who have various job descriptions
Forensic Pathologist - correct answer-medical doctor who diagnoses & studies disease &
trauma (damage & wounds) that cause death in an individual.
*performs medicolegal autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death.
*more specialized in the examination of tissue, disease, trauma
Who created the first coroner's office? - correct answer-King Richard 1 of England
Chief Medical Examiner/Coroner - correct answer-Oversees a team of medical examiners or
coroners and has more jurisdictional control than a medical examiner or coroner. This
profession is an elected and/or appointed position.
Coroner - correct answer-*person who may or may not have medical or forensic training.
*A coroner can either be appointed by a governing agency or elected.
*The qualifications and roles of the coroner will vary based on jurisdiction
Mediocolegal Death Investigator (MDI) - correct answer-typically works under the direction of
a medical examiner and/or coroner and is responsible for collecting information relative to a
death, including the death scene investigation.
*Most agencies require an MDI to be certified through organizations such as the American
Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).
*Found in large agencies (LA, Houston, DC, Dallas, etc)
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) - correct answer-*employed by a law enforcement or state
investigative unit and assists in a death investigation by collecting, processing,
photographing, and documenting evidence.
*The crime scene investigator may be more knowledgeable than a medicolegal death
investigator in evidence related procedures.
Police Officer and/or Detective - correct answer-*individuals who conduct general law
enforcement duties.
*In a death investigation a sworn officer might be the first responder, secure the scene, and
is typically involved in the investigative process of a death investigation.
True or False: The tasks of examining the case of cause & manner of death & recording the
results on a death certificate are the responsibilities of a medical examiner AND a coroner. -
correct answer-True
Medical Examiner (ME) - correct answer-an appointed official and a physician (doesn't have
to be a forensic pathologist ) authorized by state statute to investigate & examine persons
dying suddenly or unexpectedly.
*does not need specialized pathology training
What is required for a successful death investigation? - correct answer-Knowledge,
involvement, and expertise of a number of individuals who have various job descriptions
Forensic Pathologist - correct answer-medical doctor who diagnoses & studies disease &
trauma (damage & wounds) that cause death in an individual.
*performs medicolegal autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death.
*more specialized in the examination of tissue, disease, trauma
Who created the first coroner's office? - correct answer-King Richard 1 of England
Chief Medical Examiner/Coroner - correct answer-Oversees a team of medical examiners or
coroners and has more jurisdictional control than a medical examiner or coroner. This
profession is an elected and/or appointed position.
Coroner - correct answer-*person who may or may not have medical or forensic training.
*A coroner can either be appointed by a governing agency or elected.
*The qualifications and roles of the coroner will vary based on jurisdiction
Mediocolegal Death Investigator (MDI) - correct answer-typically works under the direction of
a medical examiner and/or coroner and is responsible for collecting information relative to a
death, including the death scene investigation.
*Most agencies require an MDI to be certified through organizations such as the American
Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).
*Found in large agencies (LA, Houston, DC, Dallas, etc)
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) - correct answer-*employed by a law enforcement or state
investigative unit and assists in a death investigation by collecting, processing,
photographing, and documenting evidence.
*The crime scene investigator may be more knowledgeable than a medicolegal death
investigator in evidence related procedures.
Police Officer and/or Detective - correct answer-*individuals who conduct general law
enforcement duties.
*In a death investigation a sworn officer might be the first responder, secure the scene, and
is typically involved in the investigative process of a death investigation.
True or False: The tasks of examining the case of cause & manner of death & recording the
results on a death certificate are the responsibilities of a medical examiner AND a coroner. -
correct answer-True
