The medical examiner is responsible for determining cause of death. In
the case of a violent death, the evidence is examined to rule out or confirm an
accident, suicide, or murder.
In the 12th century, the primary duty of the English coroner
was to record criminal matters in his county, information used to collect fines
and dues owed to the king. By 1887, British law stated that the chief duty of a
coroner was to determine the cause of a sudden or violent death, the only
surviving function of a coroner. Now, the roles of medical examiner and coroner
are combined to simplify the process or to ease financial burden.
Specific elements determine the examination process, such as whether
the case involves a gunshot or knife wound, asphyxiation, or poisoning. When a
murderer arranges a scene to give the appearance of a suicide, evidence -
possibly a fingerprint, might uncover the ruse. If someone tampers with a
suicide scene to suggest the victim’s death is the result of a homicide, however,
the deception could go undetected -unless Horatio is on the scene.
Can you suggest one reason someone might alter a scene to make a
suicide appear to be murder?
