Coroners started in the late 12th century. Their job was to maintain records of criminal justice and take custody of all royal property, so the name is derived from corona for the crown. He or she may be assisted by a jury. In several states the coroner, who may or may not be a physician, counts on the medical examiner, a pathologist with forensic training whose activities may be restricted to postmortem examinations. The Marin County doctor was proud of building a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge, revamping record keeping, and pushing for a central morgue.
Problem solving is very enjoyable.
Coroners are part doctor, part detective, and part public administrator. This one was voted into office for six four-year terms. Coroners, however, with few exceptions are elected lay individuals who rely on available medical assistance for autopsies. Medical Examiners are pathologists who have special training in death investigation and legal autopsies. Since the late 1870s there has been a trend to replace coroners with medical examiners in the United States.