Collecting Evidence From The Body

To prepare for the discussion this week, review An Overview of the Medical Examiner/Coroner Systems in the United States – Development, Current Status, Issues, and Needs (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

, a presentation from the National Academies Forensic Science Needs Committee, to get an overview of the medical examiner/coroner systems in the United States. Next, listen to Coroners Don’t Need Degrees to Determine Death (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., an audio podcast to learn about problems in the autopsy field. Finally, watch All About Forensic Science (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., a video that explains how forensic science is used to solve crimes.

Now, participate in the following discussion:

Prior to beginning this discussion, review the required readings for this week, and, using a minimum of three scholarly sources, compare and contrast the pros and cons of required professional qualifications for all medical examiners, regardless of where they work. Should a person who conducts an autopsy be required to be medically trained, have pathology training and/or certification, or should each jurisdiction be allowed to determine its own criteria? The discussion should include an assessment of the implications for forensic evidence collection and evidentiary admissibility at trial.