Coroners investigate the cause of deaths that are accidental, violent, or unexplained.

Coroners are public officials who investigate the cause of deaths. They are appointed or elected to serve in a specific administrative area, such as a city or county. Coroners have different duties depending on local law.

In some places, coroners are physicians and may be called medical examiners. In many localities, coroners are not required to be physicians or be trained in medicine. In these cases, they direct others to do medical tests.

When a questionable death occurs, coroners are called in to determine the cause of death. They work closely with public health and law enforcement officials. Coroners give these officials information as they conduct tests.

Coroners direct the activities of physicians and technologists. These workers perform autopsies and tests to determine the cause of death. Coroners decide if death occurred under natural circumstances, or was due to an accident, homicide, or undetermined cause. They assign a cause and manner of death and list it on the death certificate.

Coroners sometimes testify at inquests, hearings, and court trials. They also direct workers to prepare documents for official records.

Coroners provide information about the circumstances of the death to the family of the deceased. They deal with unclaimed bodies and their belongings.