Medical examiner

A Medical examiner (pronounced: meh-dih-kul ex-uh-muh-ner) is a medically qualified government officer whose duty is to investigate deaths and injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortem examinations, and in some jurisdictions to initiate inquests.

Etymology

The term "Medical examiner" originates from the Latin words "medicus" meaning "doctor" and "examinare" meaning "to weigh or consider". It was first used in the English language in the early 19th century.

Role and Responsibilities

A Medical examiner is responsible for determining the cause, time, and manner of death in cases falling under their jurisdiction. This includes deaths that are sudden, unexpected, or the result of an accident, suicide, or homicide. They also investigate deaths that occur in police custody or in prison, and any death where there is no doctor to sign the death certificate.

Related Terms

Forensic Pathology: The branch of medicine concerned with determining cause of death, often for criminal law cases. It uses medical knowledge and laboratory methods to consider evidence from the bodies of the dead.
Coroner: An official of a local community who holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths.
Autopsy: Also known as a post-mortem examination, it is a detailed examination of a body after death to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present.
Inquest: A judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to an incident, such as a death.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Medical examiner
Wikipedia's article - Medical examiner

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Medical examiner