How to Be Medical Examiner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 3, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Steps How to Become

Complete a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a Medical Examiner is to complete a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology or chemistry. This will provide the necessary foundation for a career in this field.
Earn a Medical Degree. After completing a bachelor's degree, you must then earn a medical degree. This typically takes four years of medical school and at least three years of residency in a general medical specialty.
Become Certified. In order to become a Medical Examiner, you must be certified by the American Board of Pathology. To do this, you must pass the Medical Examiner's Certification Examination.
Work as a Medical Examiner. Once certified, you can begin to work as a Medical Examiner. You will be responsible for conducting autopsies and other forensic investigations to determine the cause of death. You may also serve as an expert witness in court cases involving homicides and other suspicious deaths.
Pursue Advanced Training. To stay current in your field, you may choose to pursue additional training in areas such as forensic pathology or toxicology. This will help you to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field and will make you more competitive in the job market.

In order to stay ahead and qualified in the field of medical examination, it is important to constantly update one's knowledge, skills and expertise. Keeping abreast of the most recent medical related research and findings, attending relevant conferences in the field, and staying connected with professionals in the field are all essential steps to success. Additionally, obtaining certifications and qualifications relevant to the profession may be beneficial, as these provide proof of expertise and can help to enhance one's career prospects. Finally, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and a willingness to learn in order to stay ahead and qualified as a medical examiner.

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Job Description

Perform autopsies and other postmortem examinations to determine cause of death
Document and communicate autopsy findings in written reports
Collect and analyze evidence at crime scenes
Testify in court as an expert witness
Consult with law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, and other experts regarding death investigations
Review medical records and other pertinent documents
Conduct research on forensic pathology topics
Perform toxicology tests to identify drugs and other substances in the body
Develop and implement procedures for handling and preserving human remains
Participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences to stay current on developments in forensic pathology

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and forensic science
Knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to read and interpret medical records
Ability to work with the police, lawyers, and other professionals
Ability to testify in court
Ability to use specialized equipment for testing and analysis
Knowledge of laws pertaining to death investigation
Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records
Good communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Having the ability to think critically and analytically is an essential skill for Medical Examiners. This is because it allows them to assess and interpret evidence, diagnose medical conditions, and make informed decisions. By being able to evaluate facts, symptoms, and medical history, Medical Examiners are better equipped to make reliable conclusions about the cause of death.

Furthermore, having well-developed communication skills is also important for Medical Examiners as it enables them to effectively communicate with colleagues and families of the deceased. It is also important for Medical Examiners to be knowledgeable of relevant ethical and legal standards, so that they can ensure their work adheres to these guidelines. Finally, having strong problem solving skills helps Medical Examiners to accurately identify and address complex matters related to death investigations.

All of these skills combined enable Medical Examiners to provide quality services, thus helping them to fulfill their important job of determining the cause of death.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a Medical Examiner?
How have you handled difficult situations involving autopsy results?
What experience do you have performing autopsies?
Describe your approach to investigating cause of death.
What techniques do you use to preserve evidence?
How do you maintain accurate records for each autopsy?
What challenges have you faced in your role as a Medical Examiner?
What is your experience working with law enforcement and other professionals?
How do you ensure that you remain unbiased when examining the evidence?
What methods do you use to stay updated on changes in autopsy procedure and technology?

Common Tools in Industry

Autopsy. A digital forensics platform that can be used to analyze disk images and other evidence in a forensics investigation (eg: recovering deleted files).
Forensic Toolkit. A suite of software tools used for collecting, analyzing, and reporting digital evidence (eg: extracting data from mobile phones).
EnCase. A digital forensics platform used to examine evidence from computers, servers, and mobile devices (eg: recovering deleted emails).
FTK Imager. A software tool used to create forensic images of hard drives and other digital media (eg: creating a forensic image of a USB drive).
Magnet Forensics. A suite of digital forensics tools used to acquire, analyze, and report digital evidence (eg: analyzing data from cloud services).
Paraben Device Seizure. A platform for acquiring and analyzing digital evidence from computers, cell phones, and other devices (eg: recovering deleted text messages).
WinHex. A software tool used to analyze disk images and provide comprehensive data recovery (eg: recovering data from damaged hard drives).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME)
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME)
American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
National Association of Forensic Nurses (NAFN)
College of American Pathologists (CAP)
American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI)
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)
National Organization of Medical Examiners (NOME)

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Common Important Terms

Autopsy. A postmortem examination of a body to determine the cause and manner of death.
Pathology. The study of the causes and effects of diseases, especially by examining tissues and bodily fluids.
Toxicology. The study of the effects of drugs and poisons on the body, including the identification and measurement of these substances in biological samples.
Forensic Science. The application of scientific principles and techniques to the investigation of legal issues.
Anatomy. The study of the structure of the body and its organs.
Histology. The study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues.
Physiology. The study of how living organisms function, including their interactions with their environment.
Genetics. The study of how genetic traits are passed from one generation to the next.
Clinical Pathology. The diagnosis and treatment of disease using laboratory tests and other methods.
Molecular Pathology. The application of molecular techniques to the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Medical Examiner?

A Medical Examiner is a doctor who is specially trained and certified to investigate suspicious, sudden, violent, or unexpected deaths and determine the cause and manner of death.

How many Medical Examiners are there in the United States?

There are approximately 600 Medical Examiners in the United States.

What type of training do Medical Examiners receive?

Medical Examiners typically receive extensive training in pathology, forensic medicine, toxicology, and other related fields.

What is the difference between a Medical Examiner and a Coroner?

The main difference between a Medical Examiner and a Coroner is that Medical Examiners are typically medical doctors with specialized training in determining the cause of death, whereas Coroners may or may not have medical backgrounds and do not necessarily have any specialized training.

What happens after a Medical Examiner completes an autopsy?

After a Medical Examiner completes an autopsy, they will typically issue a report that states their findings and conclusions regarding the cause and manner of death. This report can then be used to help law enforcement in their investigation.