Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program
ABOUT ME/C
Across the United States, there is a shortage of practicing board-certified forensic pathologists. Additionally, there is a lot of variability in the field of medicolegal death investigation (MDI), resulting in inconsistencies in MDI services. The shortage of practitioners coupled with inconsistencies in service spurred the creation of the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program. Initiated in 2017, the ME/C Program aims to increase the number of practicing board-certified forensic pathologists and support ME/C offices in implementing quality standards and providing consistent services.
To learn more about the ME/C Program and potential funding opportunities, please visit Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program.
In the “2019 Report to Congress: Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices”, the National Institute of Justice outlined the extreme shortage of practicing board-certified forensic pathologists and highlighted the importance of implementing strong quality systems in these offices. In response to this report, the Strengthening the ME/C System Program was created and administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s, Office of Justice Programs, to provide funding to increase the number of qualified forensic pathology practitioners and assists ME/C offices in obtaining and maintaining accreditation. Accreditation allows for an independent body to assess an ME/C office’s quality assurance system and ensure the office has adequate staff, equipment, training, and facilities to provide a high standard of service. By addressing these gaps in the MDI field, the Strengthening the ME/C Program helps to ensure quality and consistency in the services provided by ME/Cs around the country.
Key Performance Metrics
Fellowship/Purpose Area 1:
- 64 fellowships funded
- 49 participants completed fellowship training
- 11,798 deaths investigated by fellows
- 12,893 autopsies performed by fellows
Accreditation/Purpose Area 2:
- 148 individuals sought certification
- 31 individuals achieved certification
- 15 organizations achieved accreditation
GRANTEES
This map is representative of all ME/C Program awards made since 2020.
If you are interested in viewing more award data, please visit the OJP Award Data webpage.
LIST OF GRANTEES
| GRANTEE NAME | STATE | FISCAL YEAR(S) | PURPOSE AREA(S) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES | AK | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF ALAMEDA | CA | 2022 & 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BUTTE | CA | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES | CA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| SAN MATEO COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE | CA | 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BOULDER | CO | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER | CT | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| DC OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER | DC | 2020 & 2024 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF BROWARD | FL | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF SAINT LUCIE | FL | 2021, 2023 & 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| DISTRICT ONE MEDICAL EXAMINER SUPPORT INC. | FL | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| DEKALB COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE | GA | 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF KANE | IL | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF MCHENRY | IL | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF MARION | IN | 2021 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| JOHNSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT | KS | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | MI | 2020, 2022, & 2024 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) & 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| GREENE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE | MO | 2020 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | MS | 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| NEW YORK CITY OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER | NY | 2021 & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY | OH | 2020, 2021, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY | PA | 2020 & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) & 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF DELAWARE | PA | 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF LEHIGH | PA | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH | RI | 2024 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| ANDERSON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE | SC | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BEAUFORT | SC | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF DORCHESTER | SC | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | TN | 2020 & 2022 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| BEXAR COUNTY AUDITOR | TX | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY | TX | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH | UT | 2020 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) & 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH | VA | 2020 & 2021 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF KING | WA | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF KITTATAS | WA | 2020 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BROWN | WI | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| MILWAUKEE COUNTY | WI | 2020, 2022, & 2024 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
RESOURCES
Publications
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This revised and updated, 2024 edition guide for death scene investigators is the result of a collaborative effort to present the most current information about issues confronting medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) and reflects changes and advances in communication, photography, and documentation technology, as well as procedural advances in drug and...
This document specifies the core competencies and other standards of quality and education for accredited forensic pathology graduate medical education programs...
The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Inspection and Accreditation (I&A) Program has the explicit purpose of improving the quality of the forensic/medicolegal investigation of death. The accreditation standards emphasize policies and procedures, not professional work product. The accreditation standards represent minimum standards for an adequate medicolegal death investigation system...
The application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) has technological limitations and will not resolve every case. By taking the time to thoroughly evaluate cases and associated evidence with both local crime laboratory representatives and FGG vendor laboratory representatives, law enforcement investigators can greatly increase the chances of attaining successful case...
This report provides data on the personnel, budget, workload, and policies of medical examiner and coroner offices in the United States. The report details the number and type of personnel employed, staff certification, and training. It includes the number of cases referred to and accepted by medical examiner and coroner...
This report, which was mandated by The Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016, details the results of a national needs assessment of forensic science service providers conducted in 2017 and 2018. The needs assessment focused on services provided by forensic laboratories, medical examiner and coroner offices, and other forensic...
National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) accreditation standards are embodied in the Inspection and Accreditation Checklist. This checklist provides a realistic assessment of the quality of a system's/office's operations. The questions within this checklist are used during an inspection to evaluate whether or not the system/office meets the NAME...
After reviewing the features and importance of the work of medical examiners and coroners (ME/C) offices in contributing data on the prevalence, causes, and manner of suspicious and violent deaths, this report promotes the accreditation and certification of ME/C offices and personnel, with attention to how federal departments and agencies...
In this report, the National Science and Technology Council's Fast-Track Action Committee on Strengthening the Medicolegal-Death-Investigation System (FTAC-SMDIS) presents recommendations for appropriate federal departments and agencies on how to address issues related to accessing and working with data produced by medical examiners and coroners (ME/C)...
The International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME) developed this checklist to assist medical examiners/coroners track accreditation standards. Please note, updated IACME standards were released in 2024. The 2024 updated standards and corresponding checklist are not yet publicly available...
Multi-Media
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Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this Discussion Forum Session, IACME and NAME Accreditation Audit Process, features guest speakers Mr. John Fudenberg from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME), Dr. Ponni Arunkumar from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), and Mr. Brett Harding from Ada County...
The Forensics TTA calendar of events provides a centralized view of national conferences, trainings, and other events of interest to BJA Forensics Program grantees. This calendar is a downloadable resource designed to assist grantees with effective planning of event attendance when supported by BJA Forensics Program funding. Event entries are...
Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this Discussion Forum Session, Utilizing the Loan Repayment Option of the Forensics Pathology Fellowships Purpose Area, features guest speakers from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CT OCME), a Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System...
This office hours session enabled Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program grantees to engage with members from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) ME/C Team and the Forensics TTA ME/C Team. During this office hours session, BJA provided ME/C Program updates, highlighted resources available to BJA Forensics Programs grantees...
This webinar features the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) providing an overview of the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System (ME/C) Program to its FY2023 grantees. During the webinar, BJA introduces key personnel and provides relevant program updates, guidance on performance measures for the program, and information on grant requirements. ME/C...
Protocols
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The purpose of this interim policy is to promote the reasoned exercise of investigative, scientific, and prosecutorial discretion in cases that involve forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and searching (FGGS)...
Repositories
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This repository provides a collection of example policies, procedures, and related documents to support Medical Examiner and Coroner (ME/C) offices in achieving accreditation through the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME) and the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). It is intended as a practical resource for ME/C...
HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENTS
Since being awarded grant funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA’s) Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program, the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services (BCOMETS) has successfully trained seven forensic pathology fellows. BCOMETS has one current fellow nearing the completion of their fellowship, with another...
Florida’s District One Medical Examiner’s Office utilized funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA’s) Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program to create the conceptual schematic design and layout for a new facility. This new facility will be the first ever standalone medical examiner’s office in their district’s 50-year history...
Through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA’s) Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System (ME/C) Program, Lehigh County Coroner’s Office (LCCO) of Allentown, Pennsylvania improved their professional standards and services by achieving accreditation through the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). Obtaining NAME accreditation represents a “seal of approval” from a community...
Congratulations and welcome to all BJA Forensics Programs FY24 grantees!...
The Marion County Coroner’s Office has a unique fellowship program through their partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine which significantly enhances the education, training, and experience of forensic pathologists. This partnership is being utilized to develop a pipeline of future forensic pathologists by encouraging undergraduate and medical students to...
Congratulations and welcome to all BJA Forensics Programs FY23 grantees!...
The fellow started promptly on July 1, 2018, and successfully completed all phases of the program. She completed over 200 autopsies, attended training from NAME and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), and presented a well-received poster concerning a very rare cause of sudden death. In the spring, she...
Thanks to the grant funds, the county was able to make the necessary improvements to a facility, increase storage capabilities with the purchase of a high-density mobile shelving unit, and send two death investigators to medicolegal death investigation training who subsequently achieved certification. The marked increase in caseload, internal staffing...
The performance of autopsies by a fellow reduced the overall caseload average for the full-time forensic pathologists, helping to keep them below 325 annual autopsies and preserving critical criteria that must be met for National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) accreditation. The fellowship was an affordable and cost-effective approach to...
With the hiring of a fellow, the office was able to increase the number of autopsies performed by 6 percent when compared with the 12 months prior, which allowed the office to offer support to surrounding jurisdictions in need of forensic autopsy services. During this timeframe, the Milwaukee County Medical...
The portable X-ray machine has truly been an asset to the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office (KCCO) and to KCCO’s investigations. In the past, those cases requiring X-rays had to be transported to a local hospital for imaging, at considerable expense to KCCO. As a result, KCCO was very selective when...
Through the support of their Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program grant, the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has graduated three Forensic Pathology Fellows over the past two years. These fellows completed over 700 autopsies, participated in and published research projects, presented at the National Association...
On November 18, 2022, in conjunction with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Grant, the Office of the Medical Examiner, District 19 (OME-19), Florida became a fully accredited agency by the National Association of Medical Examiner’s (NAME). Since only twelve...
Upcoming Events
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Past Events
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...
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 2nd Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting, on June 10-11, 2024!...
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 1st Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting, scheduled for October 2-3, 2023!...
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