New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-07
THE ANTIQUATED CORONER.
DIR. STEPHEN SMITH CRITICISES THE
SYSTEM PERPETUATED IN THE
NEW CHARTER.


AN OUTLINE OF A BETTER PLAN SUBMITTED.
Dr. Stephen Smith spoke Thursday evening
at the Academy of Medicine the Health De-
partment Of the Greater New-York under the pro-
posed charter In his address he passed some
criticisms on the proposed provisions. OF which
related 10 the office of Coroner and his duties on
this subjec, he spoke as follows:
The antiquaied method of verifying the causes
Of sudden DEATH determining the question OF crime
and detecting the criminal. Is apparently TO be
perpc;uated in the new municipality; Experience
which will so certainly fail OF It's object as the
n sys'e% oon iaP mss 30 a from dee
rnirirr the exact causes Of death the returns from
the cOroners Office are the most mPeSfeci and un
court has long been an object of ridcule and con-
6" erm na ha o CT Been the by 70
both the crime and the criminal have escaped
In many States and notably in Massachusetts,
this relic Of ancient English Jurisprudence has long
been discarded and modern scientific methods
have been Instituted. In this State no reform has
been possible until now. owing to the Constitn-
nized as public officer The late Constitutional
Convention. however, omitted any reference 10
the Office and thus the way Is now open for the
adoption of a reform measure.
If we rightly consider the object to be accom-
q method Of procedure which viii give very exact
results with the least possible expenditure. Two
case Of death which occurs from criminal vio-
cncc. or by casualty or suddenly when in APP
parent health. or when unattended by a physician.
or in prison. in any suspicious or unusual man.
ner' l. The exact cause of death is to be de-
are no conditions indicating or suggesting that the
death was caused by a second party it is
there are undetermined conditions which involve
the possibility of crime. the case must come under
criminal side is judiciously Investigated and de-
Apparently we have at hand all the necessary
machinery for fulfilling these objects In the most
exact and perfect manner. For the verifcation Of
every necdful appliance IN its laboratories. and
the experts in pathology. chemistry. bactcriolosy
an ys 1 and seen,e investigators OF the Of
death. And such exact inquiry into the
Why, then, should not the verifcation OF deaths
by the Health Department be made the basis Of
corrected with any death? If this obligation were
made statutory the Board Of Health could rapidly
organize its methods of procedure accordingly.
The judicial determination of the crime and the
investigation necessary TO fix the responsibility Of
sphere OF duties OF our Inferior courts Of criminal
Jurisdiction To give practical effect 70 these sug.
Rccords a department, devoted TO tho verifcation OF
deaths The head Of this service should be ply
LEGATIONS, who might be called the medical ex-
amner." Under his direction there should be such
necessary as, for example. five for New-YOrk.
dSr D Tor Ey
referred 10 the BO1rd OF records or It's
branch Offices for verlfcation.
The medical examiner and his assistants should
have all the power In making the preliminary in
vcstigation conferred upon the Coroner and
his deputies r. investigation IL - satisfactorily
proven that no suspicion of crime attaches to the
cause OF death the case Is reported 10 the Bureau
Of Records IN the regular manner. II. however.
there ~ suspicion Of crime the fact should be re-
ported q Magistrate. who should proceed TO hold
an inquest This should consist OF the testimony OF
the medical examiner or his assistant, and that OF
any other witnesses that may be found necessary
Alter hearing The testimony the Magistrate should
draw up and sign q report In which he should GER
MY wren, wnere and by what means the person
deceased met his death; his name II known and all
material circumstances attending his death. II II
appears that his death resulted wholly or In part
from the unlawful acts OF any person. he should
further state. II known TO him, the name of such
person. and Of any person whose unlawful acts
contributed to such death and shall return such
report to the next criminal court OF record that
shall be held.
II our system Of verifying deaths was thus or
ganiZed and the procedure In cases OF suspicious
deaths here outlined followed hundreds o.
cases now brought 10 an inquest with other re-
suit than q vhst amount OF low Dadnagc and n
heavy expense to the city would come TO pub
lie notice. and those where crime has actually been
pcrpetratsd would pass through a regular course OF
medical and judicial inquiry. and reach just con
clusion In verdict Of conviction or acquittal