Coroners

Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $40K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $52K
Median Salary: $71K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $95K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $115K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Inquire into the cause, manner, and circumstances of human deaths and establish the identities of deceased persons.

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.

Complete death certificates, including the assignment of cause and manner of death.

Collect and document any pertinent medical history information.

Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.

Complete reports and forms required to finalize cases.

Inventory personal effects recovered from bodies, such as jewelry or wallets.

Observe, record, and preserve any objects or personal property related to deaths, including objects such as medication containers and suicide notes.

Observe and record the positions and conditions of bodies and related evidence.

Interview persons present at death scenes to obtain information useful in determining the manner of death.

Locate and document information regarding the next of kin, including their relationship to the deceased and the status of notification attempts.

Direct activities of workers conducting autopsies, performing pathological and toxicological analyses, and preparing documents for permanent records.

Provide information concerning the circumstances of death to relatives of the deceased.

Remove or supervise removal of bodies from death scenes, using the proper equipment and supplies, and arrange for transportation to morgues.

Coordinate the release of personal effects to authorized persons and facilitate the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects.

Witness and certify deaths that are the result of a judicial order.

Testify at inquests, hearings, and court trials.

Record the disposition of minor children, as well as details of arrangements made for their care.

Confer with officials of public health and law enforcement agencies to coordinate interdepartmental activities.

Collect wills, burial instructions, and other documentation needed for investigations and for handling of the remains.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Bite analysis software
Customer relationship management CRM software
Customer relationship management CRM software
Data base reporting software
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
Data base user interface and query software
Transact-SQL
Document management software
EMC Documentum
Electronic mail software
Email software
File versioning software
Git
Graphics or photo imaging software
Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Laptop computers
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Tabletop centrifuges
Laboratory supplies and fixtures
Microscope slides
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Triple beam balances
Medical apparel and textiles
Surgical masks
Medical diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine products
Portable x ray machines
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Dictation equipment
Personal safety and protection
Protective eye shields
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital cameras
Postmortem and mortuary equipment and supplies
Autopsy bone saws
Surgical products
Surgical scalpels
Top 10 Knowledge Required
English Language
82%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Medicine and Dentistry
82%
Importance

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Customer and Personal Service
79%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Law and Government
76%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Education and Training
73%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Biology
71%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Public Safety and Security
71%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Psychology
68%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Computers and Electronics
67%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management
66%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Top 10 Skills
Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening
78%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing
78%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making
73%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Social Perceptiveness
73%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination
70%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Active Learning
68%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving
65%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Top 10 Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision
80%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Information Ordering
78%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Recognition
73%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
92%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information
89%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
85%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
84%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
83%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
83%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
83%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
82%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
81%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Training and Teaching Others
79%
Importance

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Detailed Work Activities

Supervise employees.

Collect evidence for legal proceedings.

Prepare legal or investigatory documentation.

Coordinate logistics or other business operations.

Interview witnesses, suspects, or claimants.

Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.

Inform individuals or organizations of status or findings.

Document information related to legal proceedings.

Coordinate enforcement of laws or regulations.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Compliance Officers
Major
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Environmental Geosciences
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Public Health
Human Resources Management and Services
Interests
Investigative
96%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional
72%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Realistic
72%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising
53%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Social
34%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic
19%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
100%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Attention to Detail
97%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability
97%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Self Control
94%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Cooperation
93%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Stress Tolerance
93%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Concern for Others
91%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Analytical Thinking
87%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Adaptability/Flexibility
86%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Initiative
86%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Work Values
Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Support
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Relationships
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.