Question

A young child is killed by a hit and run driver. The case is reported to the medical examiner for all of the following reasons except _______.

1) To determine the cause of death
2) To collect evidence for a criminal investigation
3) To provide closure for the child's family
4) To determine the identity of the driver

Answer 1

The duty that does not fall under the responsibility of a medical examiner in the event of a child's death by a hit and run is determining the identity of the driver. Option 4 is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the unfortunate event of a child being killed by a hit and run driver, the case is indeed reported to the medical examiner but not for determining the identity of the driver. The statement that does not describe the responsibility of the medical examiner is: To determine the identity of the driver.

The roles of a medical examiner, who is a forensic pathologist, include determining the cause of death and collecting evidence for a criminal investigation. These functions are vital for understanding what happened and also assist in building a legal case.

Additionally, the findings of the medical examiner may provide closure to the family by clarifying the circumstances of the death. Conversely, identifying the perpetrator is a task for law enforcement agencies.

Forensic anthropologists may work closely with medical examiners by providing information about human remains, which supplements the medical examiner's assessment. A forensic pathologist examines the cause of death and aids criminal investigations, while forensic anthropologists provide supplementary information on human remains.