The text discusses the importance and challenges of death investigation in the United States. It highlights the role of death investigators, who are responsible for determining the cause and manner of death. These professionals are often featured on popular TV shows like "Law & Order SVU," "CSI," and "NCIS."
However, the text also points out the significant issues with the current system. Death investigations can be performed by coroners or medical examiners. While both have similar responsibilities, they differ in qualifications. Medical examiners are usually doctors, while coroners are not necessarily medically trained. This discrepancy can lead to problems, such as conflicts of interest, as seen in California where the coroner is also the County Sheriff.
Furthermore, the text discusses the underinvestment in facilities and personnel in the death investigation system. Staff shortages are common, and the lack of good medical examiners can be a significant issue. The text also mentions the use of private contractors to perform autopsies due to resource constraints, which can lead to further problems.
The text concludes by suggesting that the system should be improved by phasing out coroner's offices and replacing them with medical examiner's offices, where autopsies are performed or supervised by board-certified forensic pathologists. However, this would require addressing the personnel shortage and properly funding these offices. The text suggests that this would not cost significantly more than the amount of money inadvertently donated annually for other purposes.
The text also emphasizes the importance of improving the death investigation system for all citizens, not just celebrities. It encourages the audience to think about what they would want for a beloved entertainer and to understand that improving the system is a cost-effective way to ensure better outcomes for all.
Some possible facts extracted from the text are:
1. Every year, about 2.8 million Americans die and around half a million bodies are sent for forensic autopsy.
2. The US has two systems of death investigation: coroner's offices and medical examiner's offices.
3. Coroners are usually elected officials who do not need to have any medical training or certification, while medical examiners are required to be doctors.
4. There have been cases of coroners interfering with death investigations involving police officers, or mishandling human organs and remains.
5. Medical examiners face a shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists, low salaries, and poor facilities.
6. Some medical examiners have also been accused of botching autopsies, lying about their credentials, or desecrating bodies.
7. One example of a problematic medical examiner is Shawn Parcells, who ran a private autopsy company and performed illegal autopsies in a makeshift morgue.
8. Delays in processing death certificates can have serious financial and emotional consequences for families of the deceased.
9. Medical organizations have been calling for the abolition of the coroner system and the adoption of the medical examiner system since 1857.
10. One study recommended increasing public spending on death investigation offices to a minimum of $3.75 per person per year.