Some of the work coroners do may sound like an episode of the latest hit
TV series. But real-life coroners tell a different story.
"As a coroner you also have to deal with the political, administrative
and personnel issues that don't show up on CSI," says Dr. Richard Keller.
He is a coroner in Illinois.
"It is great work, but it is not for everyone. It is difficult work mentally
and physically. The deaths of kids, dealing with a decomposed body or a gruesome
death are all tough. Equally tough are working in the cold, rain, mud, and
all the locations and conditions that can surround a death," says Keller.
One of the main responsibilities of a coroner is to determine the cause
of death. In one of Keller's cases, deduction and reasoning among all the
staff in the coroner's office was necessary.
They suspected that the man had died of cocaine intoxication
based on circumstances and his history. But there was no blood or other body
fluid available for testing to prove their suspicion. They found a solution.
"We used a blender on the colony of maggots that was where his brain should
have been -- long before the somewhat similar CSI episode. On testing the
resultant mass ... in our toxicology laboratory, we found that he had indeed
died from the use of cocaine. The maggots were positive for cocaine that they
had acquired by consuming him," explains Keller.
Keller is a physician who became a coroner to target the public health
aspects of the job. He is interested in educating the public to help prolong
life by avoiding similar untimely deaths.
"Certainly, learning and investigating all the different ways people die
is interesting and exciting, but by the same token, getting out and talking
to folks, particularly youth, about our work and how they can forestall their
own death is really great as well," says Keller.
Dr. Bonita Porter is a regional chief coroner. She says that her job is
"vastly different" than coroners portrayed on popular TV shows. Coroners don't
perform autopsies. That is the job of pathologists. Coroners also don't do
laboratory testing. There are toxicologists and other forensic scientists
specialists who do that.
"I can tell you that as quickly as the coroners, scientists and police
work, we are rarely able to solve a crime or determine the cause and manner
of death in one hour. In addition, I can tell you that there is not a computer
system in existence that can do everything you see on television. If there
were, our jobs would be a lot easier. The other marked difference is that
coroners are not police officers ... so we don't arrest people or interrogate
them. Those are police responsibilities," Porter says.
Porter would absolutely encourage people to pursue this career. She says
that the field of death investigation is fascinating as well as challenging.
"Not only would a person use their medical skills and training in helping
to determine cause and manner of death, but there is the broader investigative
side to the job. Coroners conduct research; they issue warrants to seize documents,
they liaise with police, fire investigators and other medical professionals,
and for some, preside over inquests," she says.
Porter enjoys most aspects of her job, in particular the inquest process.
She knows that at the end of the inquest process there will be recommendations.
These could help to keep other members of the community safe.
Porter explains that this coroner service is vital. Coroners are able to
offer explanations to the family of the deceased and answer their questions.
"It is sometimes difficult to communicate with families who are deep in
the grieving process. We must always remember that the purpose of our job
is to learn from circumstances of death. It is often an intrusion into the
private lives of the citizens ... and we must tread very carefully," says
Porter.
Coroners can help families with the grieving process. Porter remembers
a moving meeting with a woman who had lost her son due to an accident. The
mother was advised not to view his remains because of the condition of his
body.
"While [it was] well-intentioned advice by those who cared about her, not
seeing her son made her doubt, deep in her heart, that he was actually gone.
I was able to meet with her and facilitate a very private view that brought
her comfort," says Porter.
Cathy Menard, a deputy chief coroner, agrees that bringing comfort and
answers to families is the most rewarding part of her job. It can also be
the most difficult part, especially when children have died.
"No parent should have to go through that. Children are such innocents
-- they're so vulnerable," she says. She tries to treat each family as though
it were her own. She gives them the dignity and respect she would want.
Although she loves her job, Menard says that some cases can be very unpleasant.
It is not uncommon for coroners to have nightmares, stress or other difficulties
resulting from what they see on the job.
"I feel really blessed that I haven't had any of those problems. I feel
I'm in a helping role," she says.
Menard and many other coroners love their job and plan to keep it for a
long time. This limits the work opportunities for job seekers looking for
full-time work as a coroner. She recommends becoming a fee-for-service coroner
to get your foot in the door.