Who has the authority to identify the cause of death in the case of an autopsy?

The authority to identify the cause of death in the case of an autopsy typically lies with either the medical examiner or the coroner, depending on the jurisdiction and the circumstances surrounding the death.

Medical examiners are often forensic pathologists with specialized training and are responsible for performing autopsies in cases that require investigation, such as suspicious deaths, homicides, or deaths without an identifiable cause. They have the medical expertise to determine the cause and manner of death.

On the other hand, coroners may have different qualifications depending on state laws. In some areas, coroners are elected officials who may not necessarily have medical training. However, they still play an important role in the process by overseeing death investigations and can sometimes conduct autopsies themselves or coordinate with medical examiners.

In summary, given their respective roles in the death investigation process, both the medical examiner and the coroner have the authority to identify the cause of death in an autopsy situation, which makes the correct choice accurate.