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- In the United States, death investigation is not uniform and there are varying systems.
- Some states are considered “Coroner states” where they have Coroners that are elected to their position.
- Other states are considered “Medical Examiner states” where the death investigation system is head by qualified forensic pathologists.
- Even other states have a mixed system comprised of Coroners and Medical Examiners.
- Most would agree the ideal system is the Medical Examiner system like what is done in states such as New Mexico and Utah.
- The Coroner system of death investigation can have its problems primarily due to the possibility of unqualified people being elected Coroner.
- Colorado is a “Coroner state” and each county has an elected Coroner.
- In essence, each county in Colorado has its own death investigation system and the quality of each counties system varies.
- Want to run for the elected position of Mesa County Coroner?
- One need only be over the age of 18 years old.
- Registered to vote in Mesa County.
- Not be a felon.
- Mesa County was fortunate to have a highly qualified board-certified forensic pathologist as their elected Coroner (Dr. Havlik) before he was term limited from office at the beginning of 2019.
