Previously we learned this new word Thanatology, or the science and study of death. We learned that the Greek god Thanatos was the ‘personification of death’. Now many people study thanatology as a part of their career. In my efforts to bite off small pieces of this large topic, my first installment is here:
Today, I will cover biological or physical thanatology. According to Wikipedia, thanatology investigates the mechanisms and forensic aspects of death, such as bodily changes that accompany death and the postmortem (after death) period, as well as wider psychological and social aspects related to death. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatology)
Professionals practicing biological or medical thanatology play an important role in end-of-life matters. Our legal system relies on these folks to work closely with law enforcement in order to identify those who have died outside the presence of medical personnel or who have died alone, or under suspicious circumstances. They work with toxicology experts, DNA scientists and police and sheriff personnel. They apply forensic analysis to determine cause of death and assist law enforcement if a crime appears to have been committed.
Enter the Coroner. A medical doctor who works as a coroner can perform autopsies. A non-medical coroner would order an inquest, for which a medical examiner would be called upon to perform autopsy. A coroner usually is elected or appointed as a public official whose primary duty is to work with law enforcement to determine and certify the cause of any death where there is reason to suppose was not due to natural causes.
As you might imagine, this is no 9-to-5 job. The coroner is called out whenever a person dies suddenly, or dies alone, usually under suspicious circumstances. A coroner can perform field investigation, sign death certificates, notify next of kin, and return belongings to the family members of the deceased person. A coroner keeps death records for the people who have died within the coroner’s jurisdiction.
A Medical Examiner is a licensed medical doctor who specializes in forensic pathology. A medical examiner performs autopsy, uses their medical expertise in survey of one’s medical records, interviews family members, law enforcement on-scene, etc. Medical examiners typically are appointed officials in their county or jurisdiction. A medical examiner decides what level of investigation is required to determine the cause and manner of death. They work with toxicology experts, DNA scientists and law enforcement personnel.
If you’re studying your family tree, you’ve likely relied on death notices to learn when and where your ancestors died, the cause of their deaths, and how old they were at their time of death. And for that, you can thank a coroner and/or a medical examiner.
The doctors we rely on in life can also care for us as we are dying. The nurses and other medical professionals who study thanatology are also helpful in diagnosing a terminal illness, for example, or explaining to a patient what their diagnosis means, and caring for a patient toward the end of their life, guiding along the way and sharing their knowledge and experience with their patients to provide support, encouragement, medical treatments, etc. They also can talk with family for clarification of information or treatment plans. Besides doctors and nurses, there are other personnel who may be trained in death and dying as part of their Hospice work or as junior coroners or funeral directors, embalmers, or other caregiving at the end of life.
So, that’s physical/biological thanatology. Next time we will learn another subset of thanatology. Until next time, take care.
You can email me at [email protected] or listen to my podcast at whilewerestillhere.com.
Go ahead and share this with your friends as well, to keep the conversation going.