A public official responsible for investigating deaths, especially those that are sudden, violent, or suspicious. Coroners determine the cause of death and may conduct inquests with juries to establish the circumstances surrounding a death.
From Anglo-Norman 'coronour,' derived from Latin 'corona' (crown), originally meaning 'officer of the crown.' Established in England around 1194, coroners were initially responsible for protecting the crown's financial interests in cases involving death or treasure.
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