Professional app page template for Coroners in West Virginia

Decedent records are classified as confidential medical records and disclosure is restricted. All requests for autopsy reports, toxicology reports and cremation permits must go through OCMEʼs administrator. Contact the administrator at (304) 558-6920.

A county medical examiner shall be medically trained and licensed by the state of West Virginia as a physician, registered nurse, paramedic, emergency medical technician or a physician assistant, be certified in the practice of medicolegal death investigation and be of good moral character . . .

Coroners are elected lay people who often do not have professional training, whereas medical examiners are appointed and have board-certification in a medical specialty. The coroner system has advantages, but they are heavily outweighed by its disadvantages.

(a) If in the opinion of the chief medical examiner, or of the county medical examiner of the county in which the death in question occurred, it is advisable and in the public interest that an autopsy be made, or if an autopsy is requested by either the prosecuting attorney or the judge of the circuit court or other

A Medical Examiner is a forensic pathologist (a medical doctor with subspeciality training) with particular expertise in investigating violent, sudden and unexpected, suspicious or unattended deaths. A Coroner is an elected or appointed public officer whose chief duty is to certify the cause of death.

When acting in an official capacity, the physician medical examiner is charged, within a particular jurisdiction, with the investigation and examination of persons dying a sudden, unexpected or violent death and with determining the cause and manner of the death.

Coroner. Coroners are the only professionals who are qualified to perform autopsies without a medical degree. Coroners are trained pathologists who use their knowledge of anatomy and their practical skills to examine bodies and provide the cause of death to the police.

Although itʼs not always necessary, a majority of localities require coroners to hold a medical license and be physicians. Some other typical requirements to qualify as a coroner are: Bachelorʼs degree in criminology, medicine, forensic science or related field. Successful completion of medical school.