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The processes of life and death are actually specialized fields of knowledge about the human body. I was watching an episode of CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) New York, where Hawke was investigating a death at the hospital where he worked as a doctor, on the living humans. The episode alluded to Hawke was responsible, for a patient death, in the operating room. Hence, he ended up with a career, with the NYPD (New York Police Department), as a Scientist/Medical Examiner. At the end of this episode, he saved the life of a live human, before the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) arrived. Due to Hawke rattling off specific Medical lingo, the lead EMS asked him if he were a doctor. Hawke answered him with a profound 'yes'. Medical examiners are Medical Doctors, to the dead. Enjoy this article from GOOGLE.
medical examiner vs medical doctor
A Medical Examiner (ME) is a specialized Medical Doctor (MD/DO), but with a focus on forensic pathology, investigating sudden, unexpected, or violent deaths through autopsies and legal testimony, while a general Medical Doctor (like a GP or specialist) treats living patients, though all MEs must first be fully qualified physicians. The key distinction is specialization: an ME applies medical knowledge to legal death investigations, whereas other doctors focus on clinical care.
Medical Doctor (General)
Role: Diagnoses and treats living patients, manages chronic conditions, performs surgeries, or specializes in areas like pediatrics, cardiology, etc..
Focus: Patient health, wellness, and treatment.
Training: Medical school (MD/DO) and residency in a clinical specialty.
Medical Examiner (ME)
Role: A physician (MD or DO) appointed to investigate deaths, determine cause and manner of death, and provide expert testimony in legal cases.
Focus: Medicolegal death investigation, autopsies, and forensic science.
Training: Medical degree + residency in pathology + fellowship in forensic pathology.
Key Difference: An ME is a doctor who has chosen a path focused on the intersection of medicine and law, often serving public office.
In Summary
All Medical Examiners are Medical Doctors, but not all Medical Doctors are Medical Examiners. An ME is a type of doctor with specific training and duties related to death investigation, using their medical expertise to serve legal and public health needs.
medical examiner vs medical doctor
A Medical Examiner (ME) is a specialized Medical Doctor (MD/DO), but with a focus on forensic pathology, investigating sudden, unexpected, or violent deaths through autopsies and legal testimony, while a general Medical Doctor (like a GP or specialist) treats living patients, though all MEs must first be fully qualified physicians. The key distinction is specialization: an ME applies medical knowledge to legal death investigations, whereas other doctors focus on clinical care.
Medical Doctor (General)
Role: Diagnoses and treats living patients, manages chronic conditions, performs surgeries, or specializes in areas like pediatrics, cardiology, etc..
Focus: Patient health, wellness, and treatment.
Training: Medical school (MD/DO) and residency in a clinical specialty.
Medical Examiner (ME)
Role: A physician (MD or DO) appointed to investigate deaths, determine cause and manner of death, and provide expert testimony in legal cases.
Focus: Medicolegal death investigation, autopsies, and forensic science.
Training: Medical degree + residency in pathology + fellowship in forensic pathology.
Key Difference: An ME is a doctor who has chosen a path focused on the intersection of medicine and law, often serving public office.
In Summary
All Medical Examiners are Medical Doctors, but not all Medical Doctors are Medical Examiners. An ME is a type of doctor with specific training and duties related to death investigation, using their medical expertise to serve legal and public health needs.
Posted in these groups: 
Medicine
Emergency Medicine
60A: Operational Medicine
Tactical Medicine
91A: Medical Corpsman
Medicine Emergency Medicine 60A: Operational Medicine Tactical Medicine 91A: Medical Corpsman
Posted 4 d ago
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen none of are looking forward to that, for sure. But, I think it is interesting that an ME can work as an MD but an MD cannot work as an ME without further training. And it is a career saver, if an MD cannot cope with living patients, the person has the option to work with dead patients in a scientific diagnostic capacity. Maybe more MDs who should not be working on living people should go back and get credentialed as MEs and work as medical pathologists.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
PO3 Phyllis Maynard I see the logic but it's like that in many fields. I was a flier but couldn't serve as an instructor for other fliers until I went through special instructor training. After that I could still be a flier but only served as an instructor in specific circumstances.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen if you stack your dreams just right the pathways are endless. How interesting, you could be a pilot when you wanted(current credentials) or you could infuse your knowledge to other flyers.
"Those who can - do. Those who can't - teach". You had the best of both worlds.
"Those who can - do. Those who can't - teach". You had the best of both worlds.
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I just can't see myself dealing with dead people Sister Phyllis. I think I've seen all the dead people I need to see for a lifetime.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
PO3 Edward Riddle that path of medicine certainly is not for everyone. I had a classmate (who has passed on) who from age 10 worked in a funeral home. I. High school he was working with the mortician. By his 30s he had a huge funeral home. He became a millionaire because people traveled from 2 states for their loved ones final arrangements. He buried nearly the entire class of 1978. He died about 6 years ago. We all have individual callings.
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Greetings PO3 Phyllis Maynard. Excellent post. Thanks for sharing this Shipmate. Very interesting post as well. :->
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Thank you SGT Ruben Lozada . I was quite fascinated when I caught this career nugget from CSI:NY. I met a woman who has an MDPhD. I looked up the designation. It is amazing the pathways MDs can take a d still practice traditional medicine.
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