17 Autopsy Technician Interview Questions and Answers

An autopsy technician is a member of the coroner’s office who is responsible for the preparation of the body and the surrounding area for autopsy. The autopsy technician is also responsible for the collection and preservation of evidence found on or near the body.

An autopsy technician must have a strong stomach, as the job involves coming into contact with blood, bodily fluids, and tissue. The job also requires a high degree of attention to detail, as the autopsy technician must document the condition of the body and the surrounding area.

If you are interested in becoming an autopsy technician, you will need to pass an interview. In this guide, we will give you a list of the most common autopsy technician interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with the dead?

This question is a way for employers to assess your comfort level with the job. They want someone who can do their work without being emotionally affected by it. Your answer should show that you are able to separate yourself from the emotional aspects of the job and focus on the task at hand.

Example: “I am comfortable working with the dead because I know they aren’t suffering anymore. It’s my job to help families get closure, so I try not to think about the person as a living human but rather just another body to process. I have been doing this type of work for many years now, so I’m used to it.”

What are your greatest strengths as an autopsy technician?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want to know what makes you unique as an employee, so take some time to think of a few strengths that you have developed over the years.

Example: “I believe my greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough when performing autopsies, which helps me find any clues or information that could help solve a case. Another one of my strengths is my ability to remain calm under pressure. When working on difficult cases, it’s important to stay focused and not get distracted by outside factors. This skill has helped me perform well during challenging situations.”

How would you describe your personality?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how it might fit in with their team. They want to know that you are a friendly, compassionate person who can work well with others. When answering this question, try to focus on the positive aspects of your personality. Try to avoid talking about any negative traits or characteristics.

Example: “I am an outgoing person who is always looking for new experiences. I love meeting new people and making friends. In my previous role as an autopsy technician, I was able to meet many different people from all walks of life. It was interesting learning about each person’s unique story. I also enjoy helping others when they need it most. Autopsy technicians often deal with sad situations, but I find comfort in knowing that I am providing a valuable service.”

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and what you have accomplished in the past. They want to know that you are a hard worker who is dedicated to their job. When answering this question, think of an accomplishment that relates to working as an autopsy technician. You can also mention any awards or certifications you may have earned.

Example: “My greatest accomplishment was becoming an American Society for Crime Scene Investigation Certified Forensic Death Investigator. This certification requires me to complete 100 hours of training and pass two exams. I am proud of my ability to work with dead bodies and solve crimes. It has helped me become a better death investigator.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a goal.

Autopsy technicians often work as part of a team to complete their tasks. Employers ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others in the workplace. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to contribute to the success of the team.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked alongside two other autopsy technicians. We all had different strengths that we used to help each other out when needed. For example, one technician was better at identifying certain diseases than me, so she would let me know if there were any signs of disease during an autopsy. Likewise, I helped them understand some of the technical aspects of performing autopsies.”

If you could choose one skill to learn, what would it be?

Employers may ask this question to see if you are open to learning new skills. They want to know that you will be able to adapt and grow in the role, so they might look for someone who is willing to learn how to use new technology or software. In your answer, explain what skill you would like to learn and why it interests you.

Example: “If I could choose one skill to learn, I would definitely pick up more medical terminology. I find it fascinating how different illnesses can affect the body, but I think it would help me understand my work better if I knew some of the terms used by doctors. I am always looking for ways to improve myself, so I would love to have an opportunity to learn more about medicine.”

What would you do if you noticed a mistake you made on a deceased person’s body?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to admit when you make mistakes. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to learn from your errors and improve as an employee. In your answer, try to be honest about what happened and how you would prevent it from happening again in the future.

Example: “If I made a mistake on a deceased person’s body, I would immediately inform my supervisor so they could fix it before the family saw it. Then, I would take steps to ensure that I never made that same mistake again. For example, if I forgot to remove a piece of jewelry from a body, I would write down all the things I need to do at the beginning of each day to ensure I don’t forget anything else.”

How well do you handle stress?

Autopsy technicians often work in high-pressure environments. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress of the job. Before your interview, think about a time when you were stressed at work. Explain how you handled that situation and what you learned from it.

Example: “I have worked as an autopsy technician for five years now. In my previous position, I was under a lot of pressure because we had so many bodies to process. However, I learned that if I take deep breaths and focus on one task at a time, I can get through the day. Now, I am much more comfortable with handling stressful situations.”

Do you have any questions for me about the position?

Interviewers often ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and position. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in the job, so it’s important to come prepared with a few questions about the role and the organization as a whole.

Example: “I was really impressed by the credentials of the medical examiner here, and I would love to learn more about how they got into their field. Also, I noticed that there is an opportunity for advancement within the department. I am very interested in working toward becoming a medical examiner myself one day, so I would like to know what kind of training or education I would need to do so.”

When would you perform an autopsy?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience performing autopsies. They want to know if you have performed an autopsy before and what the circumstances were. Use your answer to explain that you only perform an autopsy when necessary, such as in cases of suspicious deaths or unexpected deaths.

Example: “I would perform an autopsy when there is a death that’s unexpected or suspicious. For example, I recently worked on a case where a patient died unexpectedly after receiving treatment for a minor illness. The family wanted to know why their loved one passed away so suddenly, so we performed an autopsy to determine the cause of death. We found that the patient had a rare condition that caused his sudden death.”

We want to ensure our technicians are up-to-date on the latest practices and procedures. What methods do you use to stay informed about changes in the industry?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are committed to your career and want to continue learning. They also want to know how often you attend conferences or training sessions, read journals or subscribe to newsletters.

Example: “I am a member of the National Association of Medical Examiners, which offers monthly webinars on various topics related to forensic pathology. I also regularly read professional journals and subscribe to two newsletters that provide updates about new technologies in the industry.”

Describe your process for preparing a body for an autopsy.

This question is a great way to assess your attention to detail and ability to follow protocols. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include the steps you take when preparing a body for an autopsy.

Example: “I always start by washing my hands before entering the room where the body is located. Then I check in with the doctor or coroner to make sure they have any special requests for the procedure. Next, I remove all jewelry from the deceased’s body and place it into a labeled container. After that, I clean the body using antiseptic wipes and cover the body with a sheet. Finally, I transport the body to the morgue.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that relate to this position. Think about what makes you unique compared to other candidates.

Example: “I am highly motivated and detail-oriented. I also have experience working in a medical environment and performing tasks under pressure. These skills are important for this role because they help me stay focused on my work and complete it quickly. My ability to multitask is another skill that helps me succeed as an autopsy technician. I enjoy solving problems and figuring out solutions to challenging situations.”

Which medical examiner’s or pathologist’s work do you admire?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your career goals. It also helps them determine if you have any aspirations of working for their organization in the future. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about who inspires you and why. You should also make sure that the person you mention is someone who works at the same facility as you are interviewing with.

Example: “I admire Dr. Jane Doe because she has been a forensic pathologist for over 20 years. She always seems so calm and collected when performing autopsies, which I find inspiring. I would love to work alongside her one day.”

What do you think is the most important part of an autopsy?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the autopsy process. It also allows you to show how much you value this role and its importance in the medical field. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific steps or processes that are important to an autopsy.

Example: “I think the most important part of an autopsy is making sure all evidence is collected properly. This includes taking photos of the body before and after the procedure, labeling samples correctly and ensuring they’re stored appropriately. I’ve always been very detail-oriented, so I’m comfortable with these tasks.”

How often do you perform autopsies?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and how often you perform autopsies. If you have a lot of experience, it can show that you are familiar with the process and comfortable performing autopsies. When answering this question, try to be honest about your experience level and highlight any skills or training you may have received in order to increase your comfort level.

Example: “I’ve performed an autopsy once before, but I also assisted my mentor during several other procedures. She was very helpful in explaining what she was doing and why, which helped me learn more about the procedure. I feel much more confident performing an autopsy now than I did when I first started.”

There is a backlog of bodies waiting to be autopsied. How do you prioritize your work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize tasks and manage your time. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you would handle this situation, especially if it’s a common occurrence in the department.

Example: “In my last role as an autopsy technician, we had a backlog of bodies waiting for autopsies because our equipment broke down. I worked with my team to prioritize which cases were most urgent so that we could get them out first. We also scheduled extra technicians to work overtime so that we could complete all of the autopsies within 24 hours.”