Coroner of New York City

[1] Coroners were elected at the same time as the Mayor of New York City for a term of four years and there was no requirement that the candidate had to be a physician.

[citation needed] The coroners received a salary and also billed the city for services rendered for each autopsy and inquest.

Of them, nineteen were physicians, eight were undertakers, seven were politicians, six were real estate agents, two were saloon keepers, two were plumbers, one was a musician, one was a dentist, and one was a butcher.

Third, it directs the Inspector to grant such permit on receipt of a proper certificate, either from the Coroner or from the physician who attended the deceased; or if there was none, from some one of the family.

The law requires the Coroner to summon a jury in cases where there is reasonable ground to believe that a homicide has been committed, and he may order the arrest of suspected persons.

He may subpoena witnesses and has power to order an autopsy and issues death certificates, upon which the Health Department grants burial permits.

The work of legal investigation is to be assumed by the District Attorneys, and the coroner's judicial function is to be performed by the City Magistrates.

In 1903 senator Nathaniel A. Elsberg sought to abolish the office and set up a new one based on the medical examiner model used in Massachusetts.