Final answer:
A medical examiner is a medically trained physician specializing in forensic pathology who determines the cause of death, while a coroner's qualifications vary and may not require medical training. A forensic anthropologist assists by providing skeletal analysis but doesn't determine cause of death.
Step-by-step explanation:
A medical examiner is a medically trained physician who specializes in forensic pathology. This professional's responsibility is to examine deceased bodies to determine the cause and manner of death. A medical examiner needs to have extensive medical training, including a medical degree and specific training in pathology. They also must complete a residency and possibly a fellowship in forensic pathology. Their work may often involve applying knowledge of disease, toxins, DNA analysis, and other forensic evidence to assess deaths. Moreover, they might have to testify under oath in criminal cases.
On the other hand, a coroner may not always be a physician and their educational and professional requirements can vary significantly by jurisdiction. In some regions, coroners are elected officials who may have minimal medical training. However, they are responsible for overseeing the investigation into the cause of death, and they might work closely with medical examiners when necessary.
In the context of forensic anthropology, while forensic pathologists determine the cause of death, forensic anthropologists aid in the examination of human remains, particularly skeletons, to help establish personal characteristics of the decease such as age, sex, race, and stature. However, they do not determine the cause of death but provide important information to the forensic pathologist.