The role of a medical examiner is crucial to the legal process. A medical examiner determines a wide range of factors that contribute to the deaths of people in various matters. They give testimony in court, they perform autopsies and chemical screenings, and they conduct investigations into questionable deaths. Medical examiners often perform work in support of forensic investigators and county coroners, but in some jurisdictions medical examiners are tasked with performing those roles in place of an investigator or coroner.
Undergraduate Course Work
Those interested in studying to become a medical examiner will want to undertake basic pre-med coursework in their undergraduate program. This includes biology, chemistry, introduction to anatomy and physiology, neurobiology and principles of medicine. Also, introductory coursework in psychology and kinesiology should be included. Several introductory courses to pathology should be taken at the undergraduate level as well, to provide a solid foundation for graduate and post-graduate work in the medical examiner field.
Graduate Course Work
At the graduate level, prospective medical examiners must pursue coursework that culminates in either an M.D. or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degree from an accredited program at a university. The courses taken at the graduate level include advanced study of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Also, for prospective medical examiners, a large share of the coursework is dedicated to intensive study of pathology and forensic pathology. Several university programs offer specific programs for medical examiner licensure, but most will have to obtain a standard medical degree and focus on becoming a medical examiner in their residency program.
Residency Requirements
Medical examiners must complete two years of residency training under real world conditions, similar to any other type of doctor. The choice of residency program ultimately determines the success or failure of a prospective medical examiner. Most often, the best fit for medical examiners is to sit in residence at the pathology department of a major hospital or medical research facility, or work directly in residence for a coroner or forensic pathology department.
Continuing Education Course Work
A medical examiner will have to undertake coursework throughout the duration of her career in order to keep her licenses and certifications up to date. Most of these courses will focus on advances in procedures, technology and techniques, all of which greatly assist the medical examiner in her day-to-day work. There are extensive online courses designed to satisfy the ongoing credentialing and license requirements for medical examiners.
Tags: medical examiner, medical examiners, Course Work, prospective medical, anatomy physiology, examiner will