Medical Examiners Influenced by Close Relationships with Cops: Report
Medical examiners have been uniquely resistant to adopting reforms, contributing failings to bad apples in the profession over any systemic issue.
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A patchwork of medical examiners, freelance experts and elected coroners some of whom may have no medical training may be affected by racial bias, preconceived expectations and the powerful influence of law enforcement, reports the New York Times. A 2021 study found that 133 forensic scientists presented with identical medical evidence in hypothetical cases involving child deaths were more likely to rule the deaths an accident if the child was white and the caregiver was a grandmother. The study showed that supposedly science-based judgements can be clouded by prejudice when medical examiners allow their findings to be affected by information that is not medically relevant.
Despite such findings, medical examiners have been uniquely resistant to adopting reforms, attributing failings to bad apples over a systemic issue in the profession. That reluctance, combined with a lack of diversity in the profession and a traditionally cozy relationship with law enforcement, can increase the chances of racial disparities when medical examiners err.
