A
coroner is a
government official. The standard role of a coroner is to confirm and certify the
death of an individual within a
jurisdiction. A coroner may also conduct or order an
inquest into the manner or
cause of death, and investigate or confirm the identity of an unknown person who has been found dead within the coroner's jurisdiction. In
England, where the role originated, a coroner also deals with
treasure trove cases. In medieval times, English coroners were crown officials who held financial powers and conducted some judicial investigations in order to counter-balance to the power of
sheriffs.