A Coroner is a government or judicial official with the authority to conduct or order an inquest into the manner or cause of death, as well as to investigate or confirm the identity within the jurisdiction of the Coroner of the unknown person who was found dead.
Coroners must have some formal education, preferably in medicine, criminology, or a related field. Forensic science is taught as undergraduate, diploma and postgraduate courses.
The eligibility to the course depends on the candidate's qualifying exam and entrance exam scorecard. To pursue a course in medical, forensic or criminology in India costs between INR 1,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Coroner: Quick Facts
- What Does a Coroner Do
- Steps to Follow to Become a Coroner
- Types of Coroners
4.1 Medical Examiner
6.1 UG Preparation
6.2 PG Preparation
7.2 MBBS
8.1 UK
8.2 USA
8.3 Canada
8.4 Australia
11.2 Job Wise Salary
12.1 Higher Education
12.2 Start Job
How to Become a Coroner: Quick Facts
| Industry | Forensics |
| Eligibility | UG or PG diploma, Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, forensic medicine or any such relevant field. |
| Average Salary | INR 5,00,000 – 8,50,0000 |
| Job Opportunity | Govt Organizations, Police, Forensic Depts., FBI etc. |
What Does a Coroner Do?
A coroner oversees autopsies of the deceased to determine the cause of death and, in the case of a suspicious or unexpected death, the responsible party. They also look into any deaths in which a person dies alone or without medical attention.
A coroner may visit death scenes, supervise and coordinate with forensic specialists, and collaborate with a team of pathologists, toxicologists, investigators, and physicians to determine the circumstances of a death.
Although duties vary according to state laws and regulations, the following are some of the more common responsibilities of a coroner:
- Starting an investigation at a crime scene
- Identifying the cause of death
- Completing and signing death certificates to confirm the time, date, and cause of death
- Monitoring and evidence gathering
- Obtaining death certificates from physicians or police detectives
- Compiling the medical histories of the deceased
- Identification of the deceased
- Interviews are being conducted with witnesses and family members.
- Notifying family or making arrangements for notification
- Obtaining autopsies
- In court, testifying about findings
- Keeping death certificates on file
Steps to Follow to Become a Coroner
- Step 1: The students who wish to become coroners should make up their minds right after 10+2. They should be very intrigued about medicine, forensic and crime.
- Step 2: As a result, the decision should be made while they are still in school so that once they have completed 10+2, they can enrol in the appropriate course after they have completed their education.
- Step 3: The courses like certificate, diploma or a bachelor’s degree in pathology, criminology, forensic, MBBS are most preferred and will turn out to be very helpful.
- Step 4: The majority of engineering colleges admit students solely based on entrance exams. Some colleges may admit students based on merit.
- Step 5: In contrast, admission to PG courses such as MD/MS requires the candidate to pass an entrance exam and achieve high grades. The most popular entrance exam for admissions is the NEET, which is a very difficult exam that lakhs of students take every year.
- Step 6: The candidate should have a good knowledge of the colleges offering the course and should have a list of colleges he/she prefers over the others. AIIMS and top medical colleges also offer the course, so pursuing them should be a top priority.
- Step 7: Candidates should try to get the required practice in their field, to gain experience.
- Step 8: To become a coroner, you must have sure to have the practical experience to gain the skills required.
Types of Coroners
Given below are some types of jobs done by individuals who work to be a coroner.
Medical Examiner
A medical examiner is a physician with a medical degree who has received specialized training and board certification in pathology as well as forensic pathology (the subspecialty of pathology and medicine that deals with unexpected and/or unnatural deaths).
Typical job responsibilities of a Medical Examiner include investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, conducting autopsies and external examinations that fall under their jurisdiction. They can order or complete necessary lab tests, and review the results. They are also responsible for identifying the cause of death, compiling their findings into a report and completing the death certificate. The average salary in India for Medical Examiners is about INR 9 LPA.
Forensic Pathologist
A forensic pathologist's job entails a combination of medical examination and investigation. They investigate the medical history of a person who has died or been injured and examine crime scenes for evidence as well as read police reports.
Students applying to this programme must have analytical and research skills, as well as communication skills. They must be a good observer, confident, able to understand and express their ideas clearly. The average salary offered to them is anywhere between INR 2.4 – 7 LPA.
Legal Investigator
A legal investigator is an important part of any successful legal team. Investigators go to crime scenes to document them, obtain medical or legal records, and interview witnesses. They may also be called to testify in court to explain their findings and help their legal team make their case.
Some typical responsibilities and duties include locating and interviewing key witnesses, gathering, examining, and checking the evidence before the trial. They research to assist an attorney in strategizing before a trial. Their average salary is about INR 6.6 LPA.
How to Become a Coroner in India?
To become a Coroner in India, you need to inculcate the skills of a market analyst at a younger age to stay ahead of the others. Doing an internship during college enhances employability.
School Level Preparation
- After graduating from high school, the candidate should concentrate on class 12 and achieve the highest possible grades in either the commerce or science streams.
- Candidates will have to look for colleges that offer relevant courses in advertising or accounting.
- After selecting a college or a list of colleges, they must consider and work on the admissions process.
- After enrolling in the course, they must achieve good grades to be hired by a good firm or company.
- Candidates should learn about the career and have a prior set of plans to achieve their goals.
- Students can join or make clubs and learn keen observing and deducing skills from a young age. This can help with their future career.
How to Become a Coroner after 12th?
Below are some tips on how the students can
UG Preparation
- For bachelor courses to be a coroner, the aspiring candidates must have completed Class 12 with a science or commerce stream. The candidates should have passed any accepted entrance exams.
- The candidates can look for electives that can help with their future careers.
- During their undergraduate course, candidates can look for internships or placements that can help with furthering their careers.
- In colleges, candidates can learn to discern the equipment and other required skills for a coroner
PG Preparation
- For the candidate to pursue a Master's course in forensic medicine, he/she needs to hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. The candidate should have also qualified for the entrance exams held for masters courses in account such as NEET PG, AIIMS PG etc.
- With a postgraduate course, candidates can find experience in specialized areas for their field.
- During their postgraduate course, candidates must look for ways to train themselves, make good connections and look for placement opportunities.
Courses to Become a Coroner
Below are some courses to take to become a coroner
Diploma in Pathology
This course is appropriate for hardworking and laborious students. Students applying to this programme must have analytical, research, and communication skills. They must be good observers, confident, and be able to understand, as well as, express their ideas clearly. The course lasts for 1 year.
Admission Process
For admissions, registration can be done online or in-person with all of the necessary documents. Candidates who wish to apply must purchase an application form and submit it after filling out the form correctly.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have a 10th-grade diploma with a minimum of 55% in Mathematics and English as core subjects.
- In some states, the minimum score for the 10th or equivalent exam is 35%.
- Candidates enrolled in vocational or ITI programmes are eligible for admission to the second year of the programme.
- To be admitted, candidates must pass the various state entrance exams.
MBBS
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Science) is an undergraduate professional medical degree that lasts 5.5 years. MBBS is the entry point to becoming a doctor for medical students who want to pursue a career in medicine. The final step toward earning an MBBS is a 12-month internship at a health centre, health camp, or hospital.
Admission Process
Candidates applying for the MBBS courses can register online at the medical council of India website directly.
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate should have passed 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from a recognised institute.
- The candidate is expected to be 17 years old.
- The candidate should have also qualified for the entrance exam.
BSc Forensic Science
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science is a three-year graduate programme that focuses on the application of scientific knowledge to crime investigation. Students in the BSc Forensic Science programme are primarily prepared for careers in crime laboratories. Fees for BSc Forensic Science may vary depending on the college/university. The average course fee is INR 30,000 to INR 2,50,000.
Admission Process
- Admission to forensic courses is based on merit or an entrance exam.
- The institutes admit students through a university-level common entrance exam.
- The questions will be about aptitude, reasoning, English, and the chosen subject.
- Candidates can apply to the institute directly by completing the online application form available on the official website. They may be required to submit some of the required documents and application fees in addition to the form.
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email and invited to attend counselling.
Eligibility Criteria
- The minimum requirement is a 10+2 with BiPC subjects from a recognised board.
- A high score on English language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, and others.
How to Become a Coroner Abroad?
When deciding whether or not to study abroad, a student must consider several factors. Several countries have a special education system. As a result, the requirements for studying Coroner may differ for students in various countries.
UK
- There are 33 medical colleges recognized by GMC which train candidates to become a coroner.
- The UK has always been one of the most desired places to study amongst international students.
- Some of the courses available in the UK to become a coroner executive: BSc Pathology, MBChB, BSc Forensic and many more.
- There are plenty of companies in the UK and the job opportunity is hence present most of the time. The average salary for a coroner in the UK is about 85,000 pounds.
Top Colleges
| College | Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | INR 23,80,203 |
| University of Cambridge | INR 33,18,190 |
| University College London | INR 22,83,000 |
| Loughborough University | INR 16,48,268 |
| University of Leeds | INR 25,75,420 |
| University of Bath | INR 18,95,509 |
| University of Warwick | INR 18,95,800 |
| University of Glasgow | INR 23,40,000 |
| University of Strathclyde | INR 9,27,151 |
USA
- The field of healthcare examiners is expected to expand by 24 per cent by 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), proportionally to the overall growth of the healthcare industry. However, because this profession is a specialised niche within the larger medical field, there is a high level of competition.
- There are about 155 accredited MD-granting institutions in the US that train cabin crew members and make them employable.
- Because the United States is one of the most desired places to study and live, candidates may consider studying there.
- Some of the courses available are MD MPH, BSN, MD Program etc.
- The USA has a lot of companies operating hence creating job opportunities. The average salary ranges between 69,000 – 103,000 dollars.
Top Colleges
| University | Fees |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | INR 47,00,351 |
| Stanford University | INR 53,83,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | INR 38,30,000 |
| University of California | INR 27,03,871 |
| Columbia University | INR 45,48,000 |
| University of Chicago | INR 42,97,000 |
| Yale University | INR 36,66,000 |
| John Hopkins University | INR 54,07,742 |
| University of Alabama | INR 21,92,328 |
| The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) | INR 21,00,980 |
Canada
- There are about 17 accredited medical schools in Canada that train students to become coroners and make them employable.
- Canada ranks 3rd for international students in the world. The country assures good quality education and employment.
- Some of the courses available are BSc Hons Paramedic, MDCM, BSc Pathology, BSc Forensic etc.
- Canada has a lot of organisations including many domestic ones. Hence the employment is good. The average salary ranges between 45,000 – 63,000 Canadian dollars.
Top Colleges
| Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto, Toronto | INR 27,15,796 |
| University of British Columbia, Vancouver | INR 24,44,217 |
| McGill University, Montreal | INR 20,15,724 |
| University of Alberta, Edmonton | INR 15,08,776 |
| Queen’s University, Kingston | INR 5,85,405 |
| Humber College | INR 18,40,000 |
| McGill University | INR 32,20,200 |
| Conestoga College | INR 7,84,560 |
| Mohawk College | INR 10,78,110 |
Australia
- There are about 19 medical schools in Australia that train Coroners and make them employable.
- Australia has more international students per capita than most countries and assures good quality education and employment.
- Some of the courses available are:
- Australia has many established establishments which recruit Coroners every year, hence the employability is excellent and the average salary is 4,13,000 aus dollars.
Top Colleges
| College | Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Technology, Sydney | INR 50,704 |
| University of Newcastle | INR 22,29,875 |
| The University of Western Australia | INR 22,32,000 |
| Charles Sturt University | INR 13,41,441 |
| University of Canberra | INR 19,93,214 |
| Macquarie University | INR 21,60,448 |
| Western Sydney University | INR 18,03,406 |
| University of New South Wales | INR 19,92,000 |
| University of Wollongong | INR 26,77,136 |
Benefits of Career as a Coroner
The benefits of a career as a coroner are relatively higher than any other profession. One will have the opportunity for advancement, a competitive salary, and will gain in-depth knowledge of tax and business law.
- Competitive Salary: A coroner with less than 5 years of experience can expect to earn around 4 LPA, while a mid-career employee can expect to earn around 6 LPA, An experienced Coroner can expect to earn around 9-10 LPA. Salary is generally determined by both the company and the individual.
- Job Security: If a student wants to earn more money, he or she can work abroad or stay in India and work here. If the student is experienced and competent in his job, there is little chance of job loss.
- Job Experience: Every time you work as a coroner, you can gain a lot of experience; it's a continuous learning process; every time you learn a strategy, you can learn a lot about a technique or a new method.
- Unique Experience: If you enjoy solving the seemingly inexplicable, imagine how excited you'd be if a dead body was discovered and everyone looked to you for an explanation. Almost every workday presents a new puzzle for a coroner, who must then solve it using his or her knowledge, curiosity, and legal authority.
- Positive Experience: When a body is signed over to a coroner or medical examiner, it is legally in his or her possession until further arrangements are made. As a result, the coroner's interactions with the deceased's family play an important role in how they process the death of their loved one. It is frequently a medical examiner's responsibility to identify and notify the deceased's next-of-kin.
Skills Required to be a Coroner
Given below are some skills required for a coroner
| Curiosity | Attention to detail |
| Critical thinking | Communication |
| Adaptability | Teamwork |
Salary of Coroner Courses in India
Given below are the average salaries offered to graduates of coroners courses.
Average Annual Salary
| Name of Organisation | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public | INR 5,00,000 |
| Private | INR 4,50,000 – 6,00,000 |
Job Wise Annual Salary
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Forensic Pathologist | INR 2,40,000 – 7,00,000 |
| Medical Examiner | INR 9,00,000 |
| Legal Investigator | INR 6,60,000 |
Experience Wise Salary
| Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 5,00,000 |
| Experienced | INR 10,00,000 |
After Experience as Coroners
Below are some options to specialize as coroners.
Higher Education
After graduating and gaining experience as a coroner, you can always pursue MD or PG Diploma or other PG courses in medicine or forensic. Even after that, higher studies are possible for the interested students.
The admissions to these courses are mainly based on entrance exams and many famous and highly competitive entrance exams such as NEET PG, AIIMS etc. are held. These courses are very informative and helpful and also increase the chance of employment. They provide experience and training in the field of your chosen specialization.
Start Job
The aspirants can start their career by doing a job but it has to be noted that you can’t become a coroner right after passing out of college. However, candidates can improve their chances of becoming one by completing internships, demonstrating competence, and so on.
Certain years of experience is required to become a coroner. The candidates who choose to start their career in the field of the coroner are likely to get an average salary of INR 4 LPA. They can upskill themselves and improve their earnings by taking up certificate courses and getting involved in good projects.
How to Become a Coroner FAQs
Ques. What are the working conditions of a Coroner?
Ans. The coroner will be required to communicate, work as a team, supervise, and be extremely observant. They are usually working in an office or labs, however, they sometimes have to examine bodies in sites. They can be exposed to hazardous materials and substances. They must be meticulous and have good organisation skills.
Ques. Where can one get employed as a Coroner?
Ans. After pursuing a coroner course, one can be employed at government organizations, NGOs, police, legal firms and more.
Ques. What is the minimum eligibility to become a Coroner?
Ans. The minimum eligibility to become a Coroner after doing so is 10+2 or equivalent pass out candidates and a minimum of at least 50% in class 12th board or equivalent level examination from any recognized board/institute.
Ques. How much do senior coroners earn?
Ans. An experienced coroner in India can earn up to 15 LPA and more. The salary varies depending on the number of years an aspirant has as experience.
Ques. What is the average pay scale of a coroner?
Ans. The average pay scale of a Financial Examiner is INR 6,00,000 to 7,00,000 per annum. The increment in their salary depends on which firm they work for, their years of experience and their work.
Ques. Can I become coroner after doing MBBS from AIIMS?
Ans. Yes, you can become a coroner after graduating. However, candidates must have experience in the forensic field.
Ques. Which is the best college for MBBS in India?
Ans. The best medical college in India is AIIMS New Delhi. The admissions are highly competitive to the college, so you will have to ace the entrance exam and your marks in 12th.
Ques. What are the different types of forensic science specialisations?
Ans. Fingerprint Examination & Analysis, Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation, Forensic Medicine, Forensic Photography, DNA Fingerprinting, Drug Analysis, Forensic Biology & Serology, and other specialisations are available in forensic science.
Ques. What does forensic science entail in India?
Ans. With an increase in crime rates, the scope of forensics has expanded significantly. Forensic scientists are in high demand, and they have a better chance of getting jobs in government agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Ques. What are some of the private coroner institutes?
Ans. Amity University, Galgotias University, Lovely Professional University, and other private coroner institutes. The best medical college for medical science is considered to be AIIMS.
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