Comparative Analysis of the Public Health Role of Two Types of Death Investigation Systems in T exas: 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 ( JP s) and medical examiner perceptions of their role and responsibilities. A survey was conducted in which justices of the peace and medical examiners ( ME s) 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%) JP s. This statewide study found significant differences between ME s and JP s. 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.