The office of the coroner, or medical examiner, is often considered a law enforcement agency for several reasons, including:
1. Investigating deaths: Coroners and medical examiners have the responsibility to investigate all unnatural or suspicious daths, including homicides, and accidents.
2. Identifying victims: In cases where a victim's identity is unknown, the coroner or medical examiner plays a crucial role in identifying them using fingerprints, DNA analysis, and other methods. This information can be vital for law enforcement in solving crimes and notifying next of kin.
3. Preserving evidence: Coroners and medical examiners are responsible for collecting and preserving evidence from bodies that may be relevant to criminal investigations.