Who has authority to determine whether death was natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal?

Question

My understanding is that generally (and in broad strokes) it is the responsibility and authority of a jurisdiction's Coroner (a.k.a. Medical Examiner) to determine the cause and manner of any death not certified by an attending physician.Suppose someone is found dead after a fall. Suppose the Coroner, on reviewing the body and scene, finds nothing but deadly injuries consistent with the fall and the circumstances in which the body was found. Now, one of four scenarios is possible: 1. The person died of natural causes and then fell (natural death) 1. The person fell accidentally (accidental death) 1. The person fell intentionally of their own volition (suicide) 1. The person was caused by another to fall (homicide)Does the Coroner have the final say on cause of death?Or do any other offices have the right to investigate a death to look for evidence of homicide *in opposition to a verdict of the Coroner*? For example, * Can police pursue an investigation independent and contrary to that of the Coroner? * Does a District Attorney (when not the Coroner) have the means and/or authority to conduct an independent and contrary investigation?

Answer 1

It depends upon who has the authority to issue/sign a death certificate in the jurisdiction. Many states use the coroner system and they have the duty under the state Constitution and/or statutes to determine the manner and cause of death. The coroner is a constitutional elected official and is not required to have a medical background. Unless the coroner is a physician, the coroner does not perform autopsies The coroner can issue subpoena's and compel testimony at an inquest; a legal hearing where a coroner's jury may determine the manner and cause of death, certified by the coroner.

Many states or metropolitan areas use a medical examiner in lieu of a coroner. A medical examiner is a medical doctor trained in a forensic pathology residency. The medical examiner performs autopsies and determines the manner and cause of death. Medical examiners frequently have investigators on staff who attend the death scene, conduct interviews, document the scene, collect evidence relevant to the manner and cause of death, take custody of the body and assist the medical examiner as required. The investigator should not be confused with a autopsy technician who assists during the postmortem examination.