Medical Examiner
かんさつい
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Medical, Nursing, and Health Occupations
- Middle : Physicians, Dentists, Veterinarians, and Pharmacists
- Minor : Physicians
Summary
A physician who performs judicial autopsies and body examinations for the purpose of determining causes of death and provides reports from legal and medical perspectives.
Description
Medical examiners are specialist physicians who perform external examinations (visual inspections) and judicial autopsies on bodies from accidental or unnatural deaths to medically elucidate the causes of death and injuries. They conduct a wide range of analyses, including identity confirmation of bodies transported from scenes, observation of trauma sites, histopathological examinations, toxicology and pathogen tests, and report the results as examination reports or autopsy reports to courts and police. They also perform cause-of-death investigations from a public health perspective for traffic accidents, medical accidents, occupational disasters, etc., and propose measures to prevent recurrence. They contribute to maintaining social safety and justice using forensic medical knowledge.
Future Outlook
With an aging society and increasing importance of medical accident investigations, demand for forensic medicine specialists in cause-of-death determination and from a public health perspective is expected to remain stably high. Advances in AI image analysis and molecular pathology will also lead to more sophisticated methods.
Personality Traits
Calm and composed / Cautious / Good at logical thinking / Sharp observation skills / Strong sense of responsibility
Work Style
Local Government Employee / On-call / Research Institute Staff / University Hospital Staff
Career Path
Initial Residency Physician (Internal Medicine/Surgery, etc.) → Forensic Medicine Trainee → Forensic Medicine Specialist Acquisition → Medical Examiner (Local Government/University, etc.) → University Faculty/Researcher
Required Skills
Forensic Medicine Knowledge / Histopathological Examination / Pathological Autopsy Techniques / Pathology Testing Techniques / Record Keeping
Recommended Skills
English Literature Reading / Epidemiological Statistical Analysis / Legal Document Preparation / Medical Imaging Analysis / Molecular Pathology Techniques
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Analytical & Logical Thinking | Need to logically analyze a wide range of information to determine the cause of death. |
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Requires precision to not overlook minute physical findings or histopathological changes. |
| Problem Solving | Requires the ability to elucidate causes of complex pathologies or traumas. |
| Stress Tolerance | Involves frequent handling of corpses and work in harsh situations, leading to high mental stress. |
Related Qualifications
- Physician License
Related Jobs
- Pathologist