...if there's no evidence of foul play? My MC found a body, apparently dead of a heart attack. The local hospital is too busy to help me with this.
WW
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bolding is mineA Coroner (not a doctor) is always called in when there is a death.
If death is questionable, Coroner asks for an autopsy:
Autopsy 1-2 hours to complete and is done by a Medical Examiner (doctor).
Toxicology report can take up to 2-4 weeks.
Medical examiner or Coroner?
While many types of medical doctors are capable of performing autopsies, most states or local government laws mandate that an appointed forensic pathologist do the work. These appointees are called medical examiners and have an official position in the county medical examiner system
Not all counties use the medical examiner system. Some counties use coroners and a coroner's system. There are two major differences between medical examiners and coroners and their corresponding systems.