Question

Why is the coroner not called as the first witness as usual?

Answer 1

The coroner is not called as the first witness in a trial for several reasons, including their role as an expert, the focus on direct evidence, and the burden of proof in criminal trials.

Step-by-step explanation:

In most criminal trials, the coroner is not called as the first witness for a few reasons:

1. The coroner is responsible for determining the cause of death and collecting evidence, which is typically done before the trial starts. Their role is to provide an expert opinion based on their examination, not as a witness to the events of the crime.
2. The prosecution usually starts with witnesses who can provide direct evidence of the crime, such as eyewitnesses or investigators. The coroner's testimony may come later to support or provide additional context to the evidence presented.
3. Criminal trials aim to establish the guilt or innocence of a defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. The coroner's role is focused on determining cause of death and gathering evidence, which may not directly relate to proving the defendant's guilt.

Overall, the decision of when to call the coroner as a witness in a trial is based on the strategy of the prosecution and the specific circumstances of the case.