How to Become a Death Investigator
A death investigator, or coroner, is a forensics expert who investigates and determines the cause of death, especially in cases that occur under unusual circumstances. Also known as a medical examiner, a death investigator focuses on the study of a body's tissues, organs, bodily fluids, and cells in an effort to establish how an individual died. We are used to seeing coroners within a criminal justice setting, as a coroner will often testify in court to describe a cause of death. Here is a guide to help you get started on this interesting and challenging career.
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Instructions
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Talk to experienced death investigators. This basic step will give you a better idea of what the job entails and whether it is something that you really want to do. A death investigator will spend most of his or her time conducting autopsies, which can be a challenging itself, due to the nature of the work. Getting first hand accounts of life on the job will give you a better understanding of what the job entails.
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Contact the licensing body in your state to inquire about your state's regulations. Some states require death investigators to have a medical degree, while others will require a death investigator to have a law degree. The reasons for the discrepancy is due to the complex nature of the job. In some jurisdictions, the death investigator will also act as a medical examiner, a position which requires a knowledge of law. Your state's licensing agency will be able to provide you with additional information regarding the exact licensing requirements in your state.
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Attend any required licensing courses as determined by your state's regulations. If you have the appropriate education required for your state to become a death investigator, then you will need to determine which area you would like to specialize in. Specializations can include toxicology or forensic entomology.
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Complete an internship or residency, if required, and pass all state examinations and medical board exams.
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Begin applying for jobs. Most death investigators will work for universities, hospitals or government agencies, so you should check the job boards which focus on job listings for these agencies.
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Tips & Warnings
If you wish to become a death investigator, you should begin planning your career early, since some states' licensing requirements include advanced degrees.
Many death investigators work on call, so the hours can be erratic. Furthermore, because of the many ways in which individuals can die, a death investigator should have the ability to work under very stressful and unnerving conditions.
