The Education of a Coroner: Lessons in Investigating Death

About this book

In the vein of Dr. Judy Melineks Working Stiff an account of the hair-raising and heartbreaking cases handled by the coroner of Marin County California throughout his four decades on the jobfrom high-profile deaths to serial killers to Golden Gate Bridge suicides. Marin County California is a study in contradictions. Its natural beauty attracts thousands of visitors every year yet the county also is home to San Quentin Prison one of the oldest and largest penitentiaries in the country. Marin ranks in the top one percent of counties nationwide in terms of affluence and overall health yet it is far above the norm in drug overdoses and alcoholism and comprises a large percentage of suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge. Ken Holmes worked in the Marin County Coroners Office for thirty-six years starting as a death investigator and ending as the three-term elected coroner. As he grew into the jobwhich is different from what is depicted on televisionHolmes learned a variety of skills from finding hidden clues at death scenes interviewing witnesses effectively managing bystanders and reporters preparing testimony for court to notifying families of a death with sensitivity and compassion. He also learned about different kinds of firearms all types of drugsprescription and illegaland about certain unexpected and potentially fatal phenomena such as autoeroticism. Complete with poignant anecdotes The Education of a Coroner provides a firsthand and fascinating glimpse into the daily life of a public servant whose work is dark and mysterious yet necessary for society to function.