How to become A Medical Examiner

When their expertise and experience are beyond it, law enforcement authorities look towards a Medical Examiner for a proper inquest and identification of unfortunate individuals who die under suspicious circumstances.

• Coroner
• Pathologist
• Forensic Scientist
• Medical Assessor
• Investigator

What do Medical Examiners do?

A Medical Examiner would typically need to:

• Conduct autopsies to assist law enforcement in solving criminal cases or in the investigation of sudden and unnatural deaths; testify in court 
• Analyse the medical history and review police reports for pertinent information about the death of the deceased individual
• Conduct secure on-site investigations to obtain relevant data as per requisite protocol; record all physical details of the deceased person, including the weight of each organ
• Take samples of all bodily fluids of the deceased individual; take photos, X-rays and scans of the body, if needed
• Perform laboratory tests and physical examinations of tissues, organs, fluids and other evidence collected from the crime scene to determine any abnormalities that led to death; validate witness statements
• Use specialised training and knowledge in areas such as anatomy, serology, DNA, toxicology, and firearms to help the court or district attorney solve the crime 
• Coordinate with law enforcement operations in carrying out official duties; extend additional help in examinations of living individuals in criminal cases
• Study trends; prepare and provide reports to aid law enforcement in ongoing investigations; provide expert testimony on the autopsy and related results, if necessary
• Counsel family members about the manner and cause of death of the deceased individual
• Prepare and issue death certificates; determine when decedents can be released to family members

Medical Examiners spend most of their time performing autopsies in morgues. Besides, they must visit crime scenes to assess and collect samples in addition to meeting investigators and prosecutors.

Trips to the court and mediation rooms to testify in hearings of wrongful death suits, life insurance proceedings and murder/homicide cases are also a part of a typical workday.

Most Medical Examiners work full-time during normal business hours except those working in government departments who may need to work during the weekends. Expect to be frequently on call and work long hours to complete urgent death investigations.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Medical Examiners can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly and using job search platforms.

Medical Examiners are generally employed by:

• Clinics & Hospitals
• Morgues
• Colleges & Universities
• Law Enforcement Services
• Police Departments
• Medical Laboratories
• Governmental Agencies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Association Of Coroners And Medical Examiners (IACME), are crucial for Medical Examiners interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Regular contact with hazardous materials and infectious diseases increases the risk of contagion, especially when working in disaster areas
• Emotional stress arising from dealing with suicides, violent crimes, and traumatic events can put a strain on their health, particularly when they involve decomposed bodies and child abuse
• Time-consuming work which requires patience; lack of work-life balance when there is need to work long and unsocial hours

To show their commitment to the long qualifying period, every applicant to a medical program needs work experience in their local hospital, doctor's surgery, nursing home, or mental health trust. 

It will help them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in medicine.

Some teaching hospitals also offer work experience in their pathology departments, specifically for secondary school students interested in a medical degree and a career as a Medical Examiner. It can be a helpful way to gain insight.

Aspiring Medical Examiners gain a lot of valuable experience from the time they spend in clinical rotations in different departments and their residency and fellowship programs.

Read about the profession, talk with a high school coun­selor, and interview/shadow experts working in pathology to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Medical school is a must for aspiring Medical Examiners. Requirements are an MD degree from an accredited medical school, a licensing exam­ination, a residency, and a fellowship.

Some locations offer prospective Medical Examiners the option to undertake a pre-med course or acquire a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, natural sciences, biology, chemistry or organic chemistry. Students who choose the second option usually pursue a master’s degree to stand out in this highly competitive field.

Medical school typically takes four years to complete, at the end of which successful candidates graduate with either a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree, focusing on pathology. 

Students spend the first two years in classrooms and laboratories learning about anatomy, human health & disease, forensics, immunology, medical technologies, healthcare law, internal medicine and pathology.

The next two years include clinical rotations in a hospital or clinical setting with exposure to real-life medical issues in paediatrics, surgery, neurology and ambulatory medicine.

Upon passing through the program, the freshly-minted MDs or DOs must then complete three- to four-year residencies in surgical, anatomic or clinical pathology, followed by a one- to two-year fellowship training in forensic pathology.

The residency and fellowship programs help the doctors gain deeper knowledge about identifying suspicious markings or substances during an autopsy, the respectful treatment of remains and standard procedures during a forensic autopsy examination.

Make sure your high school classes focus on biology.

After graduating from medical school, Medical Examiners pursue a residency program and license to practice medicine which involves passing a comprehensive exam. The exam includes clinical knowledge, clinical skills, and practical applications of scientific medical concepts. 

After their residency,  Medical Examiners have the option to get board certified in anatomic and forensic pathology.

To receive board certification, you must pass an exam in addition to submitting requisite proof of education, experience and training. The latter may be in the form of residency or fellowship from an accredited body.

Qualified Medical Examiners with significant experience and consistently high-performance levels may be eligible for promotion to the position of Head Medical Examiner of a government agency or specific medical facility. They can seek advancement by opting to teach medicine or becoming a Consultant.

Medical Examiners with a master's degree should have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Medical Examiner build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

CPD allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge. It is also necessary for the regular renewal of licensure and certifications.

As forensic pathology is constantly evolving, you must stay current with the newest research and discoveries throughout your career. Participation in conferences, seminars, lectures, and workshops would prove beneficial in this regard. 

To make the most of a career as a Medical Examiner, you must obtain a master's degree, a medical degree, complete a residency program, acquire board certification, and gain experience.

Medical Examiners who wish to teach at the post-secondary level must seek a PhD in forensic science and accumulate significant practical experience.

Clarity & Closure

Medical Examiners do more than determine the reason and time of death; they remain responsible for a body signed over to them until further legal notice. It also falls on them to identify the deceased’s next-of-kin and notify them of the unfortunate event. More often than not, the Medical Examiner helps the family gain an indispensable understanding and closure.

Instruments Of Justice

The objectivity with which Medical Examiners discharge their duties leaves no room for misinterpretation of the facts. The truth will out, and justice will be duly served whether it is a medical practice, police brutality or plain incompetence that caused the death.

Teeth are the most reliable form of identifying remains - of over 93 per cent. They are among the sturdiest parts of the body and ensure every individual has a unique dental imprint.

Meticulous investigation of the deceased individual’s body at the crime scene and in the lab, an honest report on the findings and fearless testimony in court - these are the characteristics of a Medical Examiner who upholds the judicial system and restores public faith in the system.

Be aware that moving the body, even if it is in a precarious position, can alter the positioning evidence and displace the bodily fluids which aid toxicological reports.