How To Become A Coroner In Ontario (2023)

The job of a coroner is to oversee examinations of the dead to ascertain the factors that caused the death, and in times where the cause of the death is tending to arouse suspicion or is sudden, their job is to find out the people responsible. In cases where only one person does or the person’s death is caused by a lack of medical attention, they help in finding facts about how it happened.

To become a coroner in Ontario, you will need to have a high school diploma while also earning certifications as a death investigator, you can earn this from associations like the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

The job of a coroner is done by going to the scenes of the crime, handling or making arrangements with forensic specialists, working with a team of medical doctors who examine bodies to find out the cause of the death; however, the duties of a coroner are not always the same, it depends on the laws and regulations of such a state, some other regular functions of a coroner are;

• They help in starting examinations at the scenes of crime.
• To ascertain the factors that caused the death.
• Fully carry out investigations and then sign death certificates to confirm some important documentation such as the time, date, and factors leading to the death.
• Keeping track of pieces of evidence and collecting them.
• Obtaining death reports from medical doctors or detectives that are working with the case.
• Finding out who the deceased is.
• They help to make the family of the deceased aware.

How To Become A Coroner In Ontario?

The requirements needed to become a Coroner are regulated by the rules and regulations of a particular state and so it varies. What is important is that coroners must have a formal education, and it becomes more preferable when such a person has a footing in fields like criminology, medicine, or any other relevant field. If you’re looking forward to becoming a Coroner In Ontario here are the steps you should follow:

1. Acquiring A High School Diploma

Having fundamental knowledge in important subjects like English, math, science is crucial before one can hold this position. The best thing is to start preparing yourself even from your high school days by taking part in difficult courses in science and mathematics.

There are some courses in high school that provide courses in subjects like anatomy and physiology, all of these will help in preparing you for what college has in store and also acquaint you with the field.

2. Finish The Required College Degree Program

It’s necessary that as a Coroner you acquire a bachelor’s degree in science subjects, it might either be in forensic science, chemistry or biology. After a bachelor’s degree, you can proceed to obtain a graduate degree thereafter.

If you’re looking for educational institutions that are offering degrees in forensic science you can check the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. There are some states whereby a becoming coroner must have a degree in medicine and also have a license ass physicist, all these processes might take a period of four to eight years.

3. Earn Certifications

Based on local laws, it may be required that coroners earn certifications as death investigators, they can earn this from associations like the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Two different types of certifications can be earned from this institution, they are;

• Registry Certification: This is the first certification that is earned as a coroner, it shows that you have the basic knowledge and show the needed skills required to carry out a death investigation. The requirements needed before you can take the examination are that you must not be less than 18 years old, have a diploma from high school, be working in a coroner’s office at the moment and such a person must have a death scene investigation experience of nothing less than 640 hours.
• Board Certification: To be qualified in acquiring the board certification such a person must fulfill all the requirements of the registry certification have at least a closely connected degree and some level of experience in the death investigation. If you’re able to meet up all these criteria you will be officially given a certification number for employers to confirm your documents.

4. Acquire Basic Skills And Traits

Most of the time coroners have to deal with sensitive information and situations, this career thus requires them to develop basic skills and traits to handle such situations accurately.

One of the skills needed is to be able to pay attention to details, they must be able to Investigate matters thoroughly, they must be able to think and reason well and also be able to communicate well both verbally and through writing.

Requirements Of A Coroner In Ontario

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in fields like medicine, forensic science, criminology, or any other relevant field.
• Must Complete medical school successfully
• Acquire a physician’s license
• Earn a certification in forensic pathology
• Should have worked in a medical field

How Much Does A Coroner Earn In Ontario?

The salary a coroner earns in Ontario is dependent upon factors like level of education, experience, and where such a person is based. Some coroners might have to work for more time in addition to their normal working hours, therefore this kind of job requires the workers to be always available. There’s no fixed salary payment for this kind of job but there’s a salary range you can expect:

• Forensic scientist: $66,898 for each year
• Medical technologist: $28.48 for each hour
• Chemist: $66, 898 for each year

Are Coroners Alone While Working?

There are some times whereby a coroner has to work alone, for example in times whereby they are going through documents or finalizing reports but most of the time they work with a team of people who have skills related to determining the cause of death.

Related:

• How To Become A Car Salesman In Ontario
• How To Become A Correctional Officer In Ontario

Is The Job Of A Coroner To Carry Out Autopsies Or Embalm Bodies?

It’s not the responsibility of a coroner to carry out autopsies, it is more or less the duty of specialist doctors with a footing in forensic science such as a pathologist to carry out autopsies when the factors that caused the death are not obvious. Also in the aspect of embalming bodies, it is not the duty of a coroner to do so but the duty of an embalmer.