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.

Other names for Coroners: Coroner, Coroner's Juror, Deputy Coroner, Forensic Medical Examiner, Forensic Pathologist, Medical Examiner, Medical Investigator, Medical Legal Investigator (MLI),

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

• Still cameras
• Biological evidence collection kits
• Autopsy fluid collection vacuum aspirators or tubing
• Autopsy knives or blades
• Autopsy saws
• Autopsy scissors
• Binocular light compound microscopes
• Autopsy saws
• Bone dust collectors
• Autopsy saws
• Cadaver lifter or transfer devices
• Desktop computers
• Dictation machines
• Autopsy hanging scales
• Digital cameras
• Autopsy knives or blades
• Autopsy dissection forceps for general use
• Autopsy scissors
• Autopsy scissors
• Floor or platform scales
• Notebook computers
• Microscope slides
• Personal computers
• Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use
• Postmortem blood detection kits or supplies
• Postmortem fingerprint or impression materials
• Postmortem needles
• Medical staff coveralls
• Facial shields
• Autopsy saws
• Autopsy chisels or osteotomes
• Autopsy specimen bags or containers
• Autopsy hanging scales
• Laboratory staining dishes or jars
• Autopsy saws
• Surgical gloves
• Medical staff isolation or surgical masks
• Surgical scalpels or knives or blades or trephines or accessories
• Benchtop centrifuges
• Autopsy dissection forceps for general use
• Triple beam balances
• Digital camcorders or video cameras

Project management software

Graphics or photo imaging software

Word processing software

Spreadsheet software

Data base user interface and query software

Analytical or scientific software

Internet browser software

Electronic mail software