What are the pros and cons of Kentucky's Coroner System?

All Kentucky coroners, and all deputy coroners who are not physicians are required to enroll in a 40-hour basic Medicolegal Death Investigation course administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT).  Each participant must complete and pass a final examination at the end of the class.  An 18-hour continuing education course with a passing final examination grade must be taken and achieved each year after the 40-hour training by the coroner/deputy coroner.  This differs from other states.  Many other states, like Ohio for example, have more lenient qualifications.  A state coroner in Ohio must be a physician licensed to practice in the state.  They do not have as intense of training.  It was difficult to find the exact qualifications of other states for coroners.  It is comforting to know the strict and intensive training Kentucky coroners must go through.  The continuing education that it required also ensures that they are staying competent in the field of study to serve the community to the best of their abilities.  The only downfall is that I believe a physician could limit the position to a generally sophisticated scope of practice; however, the intense training allows for this qualification not to be necessary.   

Emily QL

http://coroners.ky.gov/training.htm