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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:

  • 55 fellowships funded
  • 30 participants completed fellowship training
  • 8,333 deaths investigated by fellows
  • 8,102 autopsies performed by fellows

Accreditation/Purpose Area 2:

  • 98 individuals seeking certification
  • 24 individuals achieved certification
  • 11 organizations achieved accreditation

GRANTEES

LIST OF GRANTEES

GRANTEE NAMESTATE
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICESAK
ALAMEDA COUNTYCA
VENTURA COUNTYCA
LOS ANGELES COUNTYCA
SANTA CRUZ COUNTYCA
BUTTE COUNTYCA
CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINERCT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENTDC
BROWARD COUNTYFL
DISTRICT ONE MEDICAL EXAMINER SUPPORT INC.FL
ST. LUCIE COUNTYFL
COBB COUNTYGA
COOK COUNTYIL
MCHENRY COUNTYIL
COUNTY OF MARIONIN
JOHNSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTKS
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHMD
MAINE ATTORNEY GENERALME
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINEMI
GREENE COUNTYMO
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEMT
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICESNC
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEXNJ
MONROE COUNTYNY
NEW YORK CITYNY
BUTLER COUNTY CORONEROH
MONTGOMERY COUNTYOH
ALLEGHENY COUNTYPA
BEAUFORT COUNTYSC
DORCHESTER COUNTYSC
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEETN
MONTGOMERY COUNTYTX
BEXAR COUNTYTX
UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHUT
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHVA
KING COUNTYWA
KITTITAS COUNTYWA
MILWAUKEE COUNTYWI

RESOURCES

Publications

The National Institute of Justice’s Report to Congress: Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices

In conducting this needs assessment, the Department identified the importance of strengthening these types of efforts through the increased use and institutionalization of systems-based approaches. Further, this needs assessment compiles demonstrative evidence of how the field adapts to advancements in technology, changes in the volume and types of forensic evidence...

Strengthening the Medicolegal-Death-Investigation System: Improving Data Systems

The National Science and Technology Council’s Fast-Track Action Committee on Strengthening the Medicolegal-Death-Investigation System (FTAC-SMDIS) was chartered in July 2015 to make strategic policy recommendations at the Federal level on how to address issues related to accessing and working with data generated by ME/C offices. The recommendations outlined in this...

Strengthening the Medicolegal-Death-Investigation System: Improving Data Systems

This document was developed by the Fast-Track Action Committee on Strengthening the Medicolegal-Death-Investigation System. The document was published by OSTP. (Description taken directly from document) Continue reading…...
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Multi-Media

BJA Forensic Grants 101 – Grant Application and Award Acceptance

This presentation reviews application submission and the peer review process for competitive grant programs. Continue reading…...

BJA Forensic Grants 101 – Forensic Grant Opportunities

This presentation outlines over $100 million in forensic science grant opportunities funded by BJA. Continue reading…...

BJA Forensic Grants 101 – Award Management

This presentation provides information about the main life cycle of award management and award administration basics. Continue reading…...
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Protocols

DOJ Interim Policy Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching

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’). (Description taken directly from the policy document) Continue reading…...
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Research

Research coming soon.
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HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENTS

The State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Fellows Make large impact at agency and contribute to the expansion of the profession

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...
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Upcoming Events

No upcoming events.
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Past Events

1st 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 1st Annual BJA Forensics Programs Grantees Meeting, scheduled for October 2-3, 2023! Continue reading…...
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