Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

• Coroner

• Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.
• Collect and document any pertinent medical history information.
• Collect wills, burial instructions, and other documentation needed for investigations and for handling of the remains.
• Complete death certificates, including the assignment of cause and manner of death.
• Complete reports and forms required to finalize cases.
• Confer with officials of public health and law enforcement agencies to coordinate interdepartmental activities.
• Coordinate the release of personal effects to authorized persons and facilitate the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects.
• Direct activities of workers who conduct autopsies, perform pathological and toxicological analyses, and prepare documents for permanent records.
• Inquire into the cause, manner, and circumstances of human deaths and establish the identities of deceased persons.
• Interview persons present at death scenes to obtain information useful in determining the manner of death.
• Inventory personal effects recovered from bodies, such as jewelry or wallets.
• Locate and document information regarding the next of kin, including their relationship to the deceased and the status of notification attempts.
• Observe and record the positions and conditions of bodies and related evidence.
• Observe, record, and preserve any objects or personal property related to deaths, including objects such as medication containers and suicide notes.
• Perform medicolegal examinations and autopsies, conducting preliminary examinations of the body to identify victims, locate signs of trauma, and identify factors that would indicate time of death.
• Provide information concerning the circumstances of death to relatives of the deceased.
• Record the disposition of minor children, as well as details of arrangements made for their care.
• Remove or supervise removal of bodies from death scenes, using the proper equipment and supplies, and arrange for transportation to morgues.
• Testify at inquests, hearings, and court trials.
• Witness and certify deaths that are the result of a judicial order.

• analyze data to discover facts in case
• analyze existing evidence or facts
• apply legal concepts to medical reports or documents
• communicate technical information
• confer with authorities or community groups
• confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
• confer with prosecuting attorney
• coordinate activities of assistants
• coordinate staff or activities in clerical support setting
• direct activities of physicians or technologists
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• make presentations on health or medical issues
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• testify in court for accident and criminal cases
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of medical terminology
• use oral or written communication techniques
• write technical health or medical documents