A RESPECTED legal expert who has had the task of investigating people’s deaths is stepping down from the job.

Michael Johnston has been West Dorset Coroner for more than 30 years.

He has carried out the vital role since his appointment by Dorset County Council in 1979, establishing causes of death, identifying remains and providing information – and sometimes comfort – to grieving friends and family.

Presiding over inquests at County Hall in Dorchester, Mr Johnston said he had seen huge changes in a job which has inevitably involved difficult experiences.

Mr Johnston, who is 69, said: “The advances in medical knowledge and forensic medicine, such DNA testing, means it is much easier and quicker to identify someone than it used to be.

“We know a lot more about fatal illnesses, such as cancers caused by exposure to asbestos.

“Dorset sadly has had a particular problem with this because the engine rooms of many ships at Portland were covered in the stuff.”

A coroner must remain dispassionate and professional when conducting an inquest, despite emotions often running high among both relatives and witnesses.

But, as Mr Johnston explained, it is not always easy.

He said: “I’ve always found the deaths of children and young people very difficult to deal with, it seems so unfair.

“But thankfully some problems like cot deaths have improved a lot in Dorset over the years.”

With his 70th birthday looming, Mr Johnston felt it was the right time to retire.

“Having an inquiring, analytical mind, I’ve always found the work very interesting – and still do. But I felt it was time to go,” he said Retirement will give him more time to spend on his farm near Shaftesbury, where he keeps ponies and award-winning breeds of rare Portland and Manx sheep.

East Dorset Coroner Sherriff Payne will now take on responsibility for all of the county.