Coroner Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Coroner.

Coroner (noun)

A coroner is a public official, usually at the county level, responsible for investigating the causes and circumstances of deaths that occur suddenly, violently, under suspicious conditions, or while in custody. The coroner closely examines the deceased person and the place of the death and produces a report. They may request a post-mortem examination (also known as an autopsy) by a medical professional in order to determine the exact cause of death.