What is a common responsibility of a medical examiner in death investigations?

A common responsibility of a medical examiner in death investigations involves testifying in court. This role is crucial because a medical examiner provides expert testimony regarding the cause and manner of death based on their autopsy findings and investigations. Their testimony can be pivotal in legal proceedings, particularly in homicide cases or when the circumstances surrounding a death are under scrutiny.

Testifying in court allows the medical examiner to clarify complex medical and forensic information to judges and juries, helping them understand the evidence without needing specialized knowledge. This function underscores the forensic aspect of a medical examiner’s work and illustrates their critical role in the intersection of medicine and legal proceedings.

Other responsibilities, such as determining the cause of death and conducting autopsies, do not specifically involve court testimony but are essential to the investigative process. The other options listed pertain to duties that fall outside the typical scope of a medical examiner's role in death investigations.