Rachel Duncan on Life as a Coroner’s Officer

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Dr. Mark Viner and Lindsay Batty-Smith sit down with Rachel Duncan, a Metropolitan Police Coroner’s Officer, to explore the vital but often misunderstood role of coroner’s officers in death investigations.

Rachel shares her journey from forensic science student and special constable to her current role, where she supports bereaved families, gathers critical information for coroners, and helps navigate the complex inquest process. She also opens up about the emotional challenges of working with cases involving child deaths, suicide, and medical complexities—and how she finds strength through faith, community, and self-care. Join us for this insightful conversation that sheds light on the human side of forensic and death investigation work.