Coroner

Coroner, public official who investigates sudden, suspicious, or violent death, sometimes with the aid of a jury. Coroners are also responsible for protecting the property of the deceased person until it is relinquished to the person(s) legally entitled to inherit it. A coroner may order an inquest if the death is considered suspicious. In some communities in the United States, medical examiners, who must be physicians, are appointed to serve as coroner, although public prosecutors are assigned to the legal aspects of the investigation. In some states, laymen are permitted to serve as coroner, but they must hire a physician to perform any necessary autopsies.