How do i become a coroner?

Answer 1

Coroners are elected officials. You can go two ways:

You can get a masters in forensic science; or

Get an M.D. and specialize in forensic medicine/forensic pathology. You can then be a medical examiner (which is what most city coroners are).

Most coroner's office are desperate for assistants because not many people want to do it. If you'd like to be a coroner's assistant, you can get a nursing degree and specialize in pathology. Most of the coroners/medical examiners I've worked with would give their left arm for a RN to be their assistant - I looked into the field myself and got a job offer at a huge salary to work for a medical examiner in a large city before I even started nursing school!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Ok, seems no one is clear on this one. There are two states where you can be a "Medical Examiner" (appointed Vs. elected) without being a physician (specifically a Forensic Pathologist. Those states are Wisconsin and West VIrginia. In all other states a Medical Examiner is a Forensic Pathologist. In most, not all, but most, other circumstances all you need to be the county coroner is one other vote than the other candidate...scary, but true.

If, however, you would like to start your career as a medicolegal death investigator, deputy coroner, deputy medical examiner, or whatever name it goers by in that jurisdiction, then there are several ways:
A) Begin a long and painful, but at times fun, career as a paramedic and sweat that out for 10 to 20 years.
B) Go to college, get a degree in forensic anthropology, nursing, criminal jusitice, or another, less related but still applicable, discipline.
Basically that's it. I took the former path and not the latter and wished I would have completed my degree years and years ago instead of sitting with over 100 college credits that do not amount to a degree. None the less, be sure you are in it for the right reasons. Do NOT, please, do not go into it because CSI and all those other forensic shows look cool. It can be a very, very difficult job. It can be a great job too. There is more satisfaction from dealing with the families of the decedent's than I ever realized and I wouldn't trade that or anything. The comfort and closure that can be given to next of kin can mean all the difference. You can help the heling or you can injure someone psychologically in an instant, so choose you career path wisely.

Answer 3

Following up on what CanProf wrote (with which I agree completely), through the time you end college and medical college you may in all likelihood have replaced your recommendations about your speciality or perhaps your finished occupation. that is large to have a particular dream, even more effective positive to have lofty aims, yet maximum significant is to proceed to be open-minded and save your thoughts open.

Answer 4

In the US you have to be elected but usually they are forensic doctors or pathologists first.

Answer 5

I think you need to go to Med school for it and specialize in it after getting your MD.

Answer 6

I believe you need to be a doctor?