Why We Need Independent Coroners “Sensitive cases, such as police shootings and police-encounter deaths, jail and prison deaths, deaths in public institutions, and others, require an unbiased death investigation that is clearly independent of law enforcement.” So read a conclusion in the National Research Council’s 2009 report on Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States….
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The Role of the Coroner in Court: Part 1
Observing the role of a coroner in court during a trial is a great way to learn about medicolegal death investigation. Coroners are responsible for critical evidence that often ends up at a murder or drug delivery resulting in death trial. Whatever the staff of the coroner’s office sees, hears, smells, photographs, or does—from the…
Cause & Manner: Lethal Hypothermia
It was my first day on the Colorado doctor’s ski patrol and lethal hypothermia was the last thing on my mind as I floated down a perfect powder run. “Code blue, bottom of Rabbit Run,” said a voice on my radio. “Code blue; doc we need you now.” A skier lay unconscious, not breathing, no…