Can a Medical Examiner Investigator interrogate suspects?

In the field of medicolegal death investigations, the primary role of a Medical Examiner Investigator is to gather and document information regarding deaths that are under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office. This includes collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining medical histories, but it does not extend to interrogating suspects.

The responsibility of interrogating suspects lies with law enforcement agencies, specifically trained officers whose role includes conducting criminal investigations and securing confessions when appropriate. Investigators in the Medical Examiner’s Office are not equipped with the legal authority or training to conduct interrogations as that could potentially compromise the investigation and the chain of evidence.

The observations and findings of a Medical Examiner Investigator can inform the law enforcement investigation, but their function is distinct and does not intersect with the legal nuances of interrogating individuals under suspicion of criminal activity. By maintaining a clear boundary of responsibilities, the integrity of both the medical investigation and the criminal investigation is preserved. This division of roles ensures that each entity can operate effectively within its jurisdictional limits.