CORONER, n. [Law Lat. coronator, from corona, a crown.]
An officer whose office is concerned principally with pleas of the crown. One chief part of his duty is, when a person is slain or dies suddenly or in prison, to inquire into the manner of his death. This must be done by a jury, on sight of the body, and at the place where the death happened. In England, the coroner is to inquire also concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wrecks or not; and who is in possession of the goods; also concerning treasure-trove. As a ministerial officer, the coroner is the sheriff's substitute; and when an exception can be taken to the sheriff, for suspicion of partiality, process is awarded the coroner.
In some of the States, in America, there is a coroner, but his principle or only duty is to inquire into the causes of untimely death. In Connecticut there is no such officer, the duty being performed by a constable or justice of the peace.

AMERICAN DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
NOAH WEBSTER 1828

Under the English crown, if the death was natural, the heirs would inherit.

Under the English crown, If the death was unnatural, property, valuables, monetary instruments... were confiscated by the crown.

No conflict of interest there, eh?

CORONER, n. [Law Lat. coronator, from corona, a crown.]
An officer whose office is concerned principally with pleas of the crown. One chief part of his duty is, when a person is slain or dies suddenly or in prison, to inquire into the manner of his death. This must be done by a jury, on sight of the body, and at the place where the death happened. In England, the coroner is to inquire also concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wrecks or not; and who is in possession of the goods; also concerning treasure-trove. As a ministerial officer, the coroner is the sheriff's substitute; and when an exception can be taken to the sheriff, for suspicion of partiality, process is awarded the coroner.
In some of the States, in America, there is a coroner, but his principle or only duty is to inquire into the causes of untimely death. In Connecticut there is no such officer, the duty being performed by a constable or justice of the peace.

AMERICAN DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
NOAH WEBSTER 1828

Under the English crown, if the death was natural, the heirs inherit.

Under the English crown, If the death was unnatural, property, valuables, monetary instruments... are confiscated by the crown.

No conflict of interest there, eh?