coroner
    n 1: a public official who investigates by inquest any death not
         due to natural causes [syn: coroner, medical examiner]

Coroner \Cor"o*ner\ (k?r"?-n?r), n. [From OE. coronen to crown,
   OF. coroner, fr. L. coronare, fr. corona crown. Formed as a
   translation of LL. coronator coroner, fr. L. corona crown,
   the coroner having been originally a prosecuting officer of
   the crown. See Crown.]
   An officer of the peace whose principal duty is to inquire,
   with the help of a jury, into the cause of any violent,
   sudden or mysterious death, or death in prison, usually on
   sight of the body and at the place where the death occurred.
   [In England formerly also written and pronounced crowner.]
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: In some of the United States the office of coroner is
         abolished, that of medical examiner taking its place.
         [1913 Webster]

   Coroner's inquest. See under Inquest.
      [1913 Webster]

CORONER. An officer whose principal duty it is to hold an inquisition, with 
the assistance of a jury, over the body of any person who may have come to a 
violent death, or who has died in prison. It is his duty also, in case of 
the death of the sheriff, or when a vacancy happens in that office, to serve 
all the writs and process which the sheriff is usually bound to serve. The 
chief justice of the King's Bench is the sovereign or chief coroner of all 
England, although it is not to be understood that he performs the active 
duties of that office in any one count. 4 Rep. 57, b. Vide Bac. Ab. h.t.; 6 
Vin. Ab.242; 3 Com. Dig. 242; 5 Com. Dig. 212; and the articles Death; 
Inquisition. 
     2. The duties of the coroner are of the greatest consequence to 
society, both for the purpose of bringing to punishment murderers and other 
offenders against the lives of the citizens, and of protecting innocent 
persons from criminal accusations. His office, it is to be regretted, is 
regarded with too much indifference. This officer should be properly 
acquainted with the medical and legal knowledge so absolutely indispensable 
in the faithful discharge of his office. It not unfrequently happens that 
the public mind is deeply impressed with the guilt of the accused, and when 
probably he is guilty, and yet the imperfections of the early examinations 
leave no alternative to the jury but to acquit. It is proper in most cases 
to procure the examination to be made by a physician, and in some cases, it 
is his duty. 4 Car. & P. 571.