Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
<ul><li>Perform medicolegal examinations and autopsies, conducting preliminary examinations of the body to identify victims, locate signs of trauma, and identify factors that would indicate time of death.</li><li>Inquire into the cause, manner, and circumstances of human deaths and establish the identities of deceased persons.</li><li>Complete death certificates, including the assignment of cause and manner of death.</li><li>Observe and record the positions and conditions of bodies and related evidence.</li><li>Observe, record, and preserve any objects or personal property related to deaths, including objects such as medication containers and suicide notes.</li><li>Interview persons present at death scenes to obtain information useful in determining the manner of death.</li><li>Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.</li><li>Collect and document any pertinent medical history information.</li><li>Complete reports and forms required to finalize cases.</li><li>Direct activities of workers conducting autopsies, performing pathological and toxicological analyses, and preparing documents for permanent records.</li><li>Confer with officials of public health and law enforcement agencies to coordinate interdepartmental activities.</li><li>Provide information concerning the circumstances of death to relatives of the deceased.</li><li>Locate and document information regarding the next of kin, including their relationship to the deceased and the status of notification attempts.</li><li>Inventory personal effects recovered from bodies, such as jewelry or wallets.</li><li>Coordinate the release of personal effects to authorized persons and facilitate the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects.</li><li>Remove or supervise removal of bodies from death scenes, using the proper equipment and supplies, and arrange for transportation to morgues.</li><li>Testify at inquests, hearings, and court trials.</li><li>Collect wills, burial instructions, and other documentation needed for investigations and for handling of the remains.</li></ul>