Author: Yujiemi Chisholm

Events

3rd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting

On behalf of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (Forensics TTA) Team, led by RTI International, is hosting the 3rd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting on June 9-10, 2025! 

This year’s virtual meeting will offer a series of educational case studies and sessions, covering key topics of significant interest to grantees across the BJA Forensics Programs. These include the application of forensic genetic genealogy in wrongful conviction investigations, innovative strategies for solving long-term missing and unidentified person cases, the evolving legal landscape for forensic evidence in light of Smith v. Arizona, implementing Rapid DNA technology in accordance with upcoming standards updates, the impact of turnaround times on death investigations, essential grant management practices, and more.

Program-specific breakout discussions will also be featured to provide grantees with a unique opportunity to learn more from respective BJA staff and other grantees. 

Accreditation Document Repository

Small Office: Health and Safety Documents

These documents provide guidance for health and safety, autopsy refusal, organ tissue release – including peer review quality assurance – and address standards for NAME General, section “A”. These examples are reflective of a small office with autopsies performed at a hospital facility.
Accreditation Document Repository

Medium Office: Facility Documents

These documents pertain to fiscal management, exposure control – including safety, facility security, and facility maintenance – and address standards for IACME Agency Practices, section “A”. These examples are reflective of a medium-sized office that performs autopsies in-house and at other facilities.
Accreditation Document Repository

Medium Office: Mass Disaster Plan

This policy example is designed to provide guidance on how to respond to a mass fatality incident, and addresses standards for IACME Agency Practices, section “A”. This example is reflective of a medium-sized office that performs autopsies in-house and at other facilities.
Accreditation Document Repository

Large Office: Mass Disaster Plan

This policy example is designed to provide guidance on how to respond to a mass fatality incident, and addresses standards for NAME General, section “A” as well as IACME Agency Practices, section “A”. This example is reflective of a large office that performs autopsies in-house.
Accreditation Document Repository

Small Office: Investigative Practices Documents

These documents pertain to the handling of digital photography, identification methods, interoffice communication – including handling jurisdictional cases – and address standards for IACME Agency Practices, section “A” as well as IACME Investigative Practices, section “B”. These examples are reflective of a small office that performs autopsies in-house.
Accreditation Document Repository

Small Office: Case Involvement Documents

These documents pertain to case notification, decedent identification, scene investigation protocol, scattered remains/body recovery – including notifying next of kin, and more – and address standards for NAME Investigations, section “B”. These examples are reflective of a small office with autopsies performed at a hospital facility.
Accreditation Document Repository

Large Office: Morgue Operations Documents

These documents pertain to mortuary guidelines and radiography tests, and address standards for NAME Morgue Operations, section “C”. These examples are reflective of a large office that performs autopsies in-house.
Accreditation Document Repository

Small Office: Morgue Operations and Lab Services Documents

These documents pertain to body handling and body scales, organ and tissue retention – including child scenes, DNA collection, and morgue intake – and address standards for IACME Morgue Facilities, section “C” as well as IACME Laboratory Services, section “D”. These examples are reflective of a small office that performs autopsies in-house.
Accreditation Document Repository

Small Office: Postmortem Examination Documents

These documents pertain to autopsies and forensic exams, guidelines surrounding forensic pathologists – including haz mat procedures – and address standards for IACME Agency Practices, section “A” as well as IACME Morgue Facilities, section “C”. These examples are reflective of a small office that performs autopsies in-house.