Comparative Analysis of the Public Health Role of Two Types of Death Investigation Systems in Texas: Application of Essential Services.
The purpose of this research was to assess the practices of death investigation agencies in Texas and to investigate the differences between justices of the peace (JPs) and medical examiner perceptions of their role and responsibilities. A survey was conducted in which justices of the peace and medical examiners (MEs) were questioned on their agency's policies and practices in regard to essential services provided using a recently published 50-item instrument subdivided into 10 essential services areas. The study used a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design in which nonparametric analysis was used to ascertain differences between groups. The sample size for analysis was composed of 10 (83%) ME offices and 112 (15.5%) JPs. This statewide study found significant differences between MEs and JPs. These differences reflect the variation in educational background, understanding and implementation of essential services, and the appreciation of the needs of a system to be both collaborative and independent.
['Drake|Stacy A|SA|', 'Cron|Stanley G|SG|', 'Giardino|Angelo|A|', 'Trevino|Vanessa|V|', 'Nolte|Kurt B|KB|']
D000068:Accreditation D000288:Administrative Personnel D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004522:Educational Status D044707:Forensic Sciences D006801:Humans D008875:Middle Aged D024382:Professional Role D011634:Public Health D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D013781:Texas
public health essential services justices of the peace medical examiner forensic pathology forensic science medicolegal death investigation system