Australia |
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Canada |
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role
of the medical examiner /pathologist
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"The morgue
autopsy: an open dissection of the body, usually in which
three cavities of the body are opened - head, chest, and
abdomen. Organs are removed and examined individually by
the medical examiner/pathologist" (Alberta Justice,
1993, p. 9).
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role
of the medical photographer
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"The medical
photographer provides photography at post-mortem examinations.
Additionally scene of death photography is taken by medical
examiner's investigators using "Polaroid" photography.
This provides a quick view of the each death scene for the
medical examiner at the morning case review" (Alberta
Justice, 1993, p. 16).
"The photographer's
job includes film processing, filing, duplication of slides
and production of both color and black and white prints.
The photographer assembles collections of slides, often
for educational presentations and prints for court work"
(Alberta Justice, 1993, p. 16).
International |
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United Kingdom |
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role
of coroner
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1100's - "Medicolegal
activities or the role of coroner began in England for the
purpose of preventing financial abuses against the crown
by English Sheriffs" (Fisher, 1973; Paul, 1974, cited
in Henson, 1987, p. 76).
1100's -
"Forensic medicine evolved in England from the medicolegal
need to determine cause of death, so that the decision to
impose a suicide penalty could be rendered" (Spitz
& Fisher, 1980, cited in Schramm, 1991 p.670).
Crowner - was
the original name for the coroner. Coroners are not doctors.
Original duties
of the coroner in medieval England:
- "Hold
inquests on deaths,
- Inspect wounds,
and arrest the accused if those wounds were likely to
be fatal,
- Attach or
arrest witnesses or suspects,
- Safeguard
lands and other property that belonged to the crown under
such circumstances as death by suicide"
(Henson,
1987, p. 76).
United States |
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points
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role
of the forensic pathologist
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"At the
turn of the century most murders went unsolved - the dead
took their secrets with them to the grave. It would take
years before science could understand the language of the
dead" (Video HBO Studio Production, 1993-Autopsy 2).
"Today,
the forensic pathologist has the tools to interpret their
language with amazing accuracy. Now we can enter this world,
both fascinating and forbidden. It is the world of forensic
pathology, where the dead reveal their secrets to the living
through the mysteries of the autopsy" (Video HBO Studio
Production, 1993-Autopsy.
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role
of the coroner/ medical examiners
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"By 1860,
in the United States, medical expertise became a formal
aspect of the coroner's job (Fisher, 1973). The old system
of electing a lay person to be coroner is gradually being
replaced with medical examiners offices" (Henson, 1987,
p. 76).
"The title
of Medical Examiner in the United States was created in
1915. At this time, the office of Coroner was retained,
which the head pathologist, who directed investigations,
and was given the new title" (Henson, 1987, p.82).
"Coroners
and medical examiners who perform medicolegal duties might
be identified as the last line of defense against undetected
human abuse" (Henson, 1987, p.82).
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responsibilities
of the coroner today
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- "Inquire
into the circumstances of sudden unexpected deaths,
- Assess
the circumstances of death,
- Ensure
the prosecution of those responsible for death,
- Protect
the living through research into the prevention of death
and injury of a variety of types of human abuse, including
child abuse, drug abuse, patient abuse, and employee endangerment"
(Henson, 1987, p. 77).
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preventive
roles of medical examiners
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- "Identification
of the types of abuse of children, elderly, nursing home
or hospital patients have prevented injuries or deaths
of other siblings, older adults or institutionalized patients,
- Investigation
of fatalities due to toxic wastes at worksites and factories
have prevented additional injury or loss of life of workers
and consumers,
- Consultation
for research findings in the study of products for safe
human consumption have prevented adverse reactions or
death from ingested substances,
- Postmortem
investigations of sudden, violent and or unexpected deaths
are frequently the source of crucial criminal court evidence,
that results if the conviction of abusers,
- Examination
of the role of alcohol in deaths from a variety of causes
have resulted in recent nationwide campaigns to decrease
alcohol consumption and eliminate drunken driving"
(Henson, 1987, p. 81-83).
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role
of forensic dentistry
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"Forensic
dentistry is integral to the investigation of murder involving
bite marks, child and sexual abuse in living victims, the
identification of the dead in plane crashes and other mass
disasters. Police agencies seeking to identify unknown corpses
turn to dentists to help in determining a patient name -
they may also ask a dentist for records of someone who is
missing" (Jakush, 1989, p. 356).
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role
of chief medical examiner
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"The
Chief Medical Examiner Responsibilities are to investigate
deaths for causality in cases of:
- criminal
violence,
- suicide,
- sudden
death when in apparent good health,
- any
unusual or suspicious manner of death, · deaths
of bodies of those to be cremated" (Schramm, 1991,
p. 673).
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Sheriff-Coroner
Department, 1993
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"The
coroner or the coroner's appointed deputy, on being informed
of a death and finding it to fall into the classification
of deaths required of his or her inquiry, may immediately
proceed to where the body lies, examine the body, make identification,
make inquire into the circumstances, manner and means of
death, and circumstances warrant, either order its removal
for further investigation or autopsy, or release the body
to the next of kin for disposition" [Government Code
Section 274931.2(a)].
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role
of the forensic pathologist
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"Forensic
pathology, like forensic medicine is a diagnostic subspecialty
of medicine that primarily concerns itself with medico legal
issues for living and deceased victims of trauma. Forensic
pathologists (also referred to in the USA as medical examiners
and coroners by the laity) provide crucial testimony in
courtroom settings" (Taft & Boglioli, 1998, p.
80).
Focus Points
Reference
Alberta Justice.
(1993). What's going on here? Chief Medical Examiner's
Office in Alberta: Author.
Butt, J (2002).
Pathfinder Forum - Consulting in Forensic Medicine and Pathology.
Retrieved May 18, 2002 from http://www.pathfinderforum.com/
Henson, T. K.
(1987). Medicolegal role in detection and prevention of
human abuse. Holistic Nursing Practice, 1(2), 75-83.
Jakush, J. (1989).
Forensic dentistry. JADA, 119(9), 355-368
Schramm, C.A.
(1991). Forensic medicine: What the perioperative nurse
needs to know? AORN American Operating Nurses Journal,
53(3), 669-692.
Sheriff-Coroner
Department (1993). Deputy Coroner (Coroner Investigator).
Author: Santa Anna, County of Orange, California.
Taft, M. L.
& Boglioli, L.R. (1998). Science and politics of cutting
and stabbing injuries in the USA. Journal of Clinical
Forensic Medicine, 5, 80-84.
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Topic
A - Forensic Medicine > Section A.2.0. Forensic Roles > Unit.A.2.1.
Coroner/Medical Examiner
