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Tag: ME/C
Forensics TTA

DNA Basics: Understanding the Science and Tools Behind DNA Kinship Analysis

This presentation features Michelle Halsing, Assistant Laboratory Director of the Missing Persons DNA Program at the California Department of Justice. It is tailored for non-laboratory criminal justice professionals—including investigators, prosecutors, victim advocates, and program administrators—seeking to strengthen their foundational understanding of forensic DNA testing, with a particular focus on kinship analysis. The presentation offers an overview of the forensic DNA testing process, explains how DNA profiles are searched and compared within the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and outlines the capabilities and limitations of these tools in both investigative and judicial settings. Viewers are also introduced to the fundamental principles of forensic DNA kinship analysis, supported by discussions of real-world case applications, common testing strategies, and key considerations for interpreting laboratory reports. This resource highlights the critical role of kinship analysis in supporting missing persons investigations, unidentified human remains cases, and other complex forensic scenarios.
February 2026
Forensics TTA

2026 Forensics TTA Calendar of National and Regional Events

The Forensics TTA calendar of events provides a centralized view of national and large-scale regional 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 color coded by event type – conferences, trainings, and other (e.g., meetings, convenings). Clicking on a color-coded event entry produces a pop-up box which provides information including its name, date(s), and location along with a direct link to the event’s main page for additional details such as the agenda and registration, travel, and lodging information. Questions about applying or utilizing BJA funding to attend any events presented on this calendar should be directed to your assigned BJA Policy and Programs Office representatives. Explore the calendar today and contact the Forensics TTA team via Forensicstta@rti.org with any questions or suggestions for ensuring this resource best fits your needs! 
February 2026
Forensics TTA

Forensic Services for Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices Webinar Series – Webinar #3: Autopsy Services

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this webinar features guest speakers Dr. Jonathan Lucas of the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office and Dr. Lou Mendes-Kramer, Forensic Task Force Chair of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA). The presenters highlight the various ways medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) offices of various sizes access autopsy services and specialists – including benefits and limitations of each. The presenters discuss working with locum tenens and pathologists’ assistants, providing tips on how to best work with these different specialists, across their capabilities and how to get the full benefits of their services. This is the third and final session in a three-part series that provides a high-level overview of ancillary services that ME/C offices may interact with to investigate cases, focusing especially on more unusual cases.
January 2026
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DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, GA

DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office uses ME/C funding to achieve Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation in 6 months

The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office used grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Strengthening Medical Examiner/Coroner (ME/C) System Program to prepare and apply for accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). These funds enabled the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office to prepare the necessary physical space for a fellow, acquire a multiheaded microscope, cover ACGME accreditation fees, develop a robust educational lecture series for incoming fellows, and support other requirements for ACGME accreditation. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office attained ACGME accreditation just 6 short months after being awarded their ME/C Program funds!
January 2026
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Discussion Forum – ME/C Office Annual Reports

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this Discussion Forum session, Medical Examiner/Coroner (ME/C) Office Annual Reports, features guest speakers Ms. Gina Carver from the Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office and Ms. Alfarena (Alfie) McGinty from the Marion County Coroner’s Office who jointly overview how to develop an annual report for your ME/C office and maximize its impact. The presenters highlight the benefits and importance of these reports, share strategies for incorporating key data points, provide examples of accreditation requirements, and discuss effective approaches to community engagement and partnership building.
December 2025
Forensics TTA

Forensic Services for Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices Webinar Series – Webinar #2: Postmortem Testing

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this webinar features guest speakers Dr. Glenn Sandberg of Forensic Neuropathology Consultants, Dr. Emily Duncanson of Jesse E. Edwards Registry of Cardiovascular Disease, and Dr. Laura Knight of the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. The presenters highlight the various ways medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) offices of various sizes access postmortem testing services and specialists – including benefits and limitations of each. The presenters discuss working with neuropathologists, cardiac pathologists, and genetic testing, providing tips on how to best work with these different specialists, across their capabilities and how to get the full benefits of their services. This is the second session in a three-part series that provides a high-level overview of ancillary services that ME/C offices may interact with to investigate cases, focusing especially on more unusual cases.
November 2025
Forensics TTA

Forensic Services for Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices Webinar Series – Webinar #1: Identification Resources

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this webinar features guest speakers Melanie Rouse and Dr. Laura C. Fulginiti of the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner and Rob Glassmire of the Garfield County Coroner’s Office. The presenters highlight the various ways medical examiner/coroner (ME/C) offices of various sizes access identification services and specialists – including benefits and limitations of each. The presenters discuss the use of fingerprints, anthropology, odontology, and DNA, providing tips on how to best work with these different specialists across their capabilities and how to get the full benefits of their services. This is the first session in a three-part series that provides a high-level overview of ancillary services that ME/C offices may interact with to investigate cases, focusing especially on more unusual cases.
September 2025
Forensics TTA

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Discussion Forum – Computed Tomography (CT) Machines and Casework

Facilitated by the Forensics TTA Team, this Discussion Forum Session, Computed Tomography (CT) Machines and Casework, features guest speaker Dr. Lauren Edelman from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office who provides an overview of the implementation and use of CT machines in medical examiner/coroner offices. The presenter discusses the “basics” of CT use, policies and guidelines for CT machines, radiation safety, obtaining a new machine and integrating it into practice, and more.
August 2025
Forensics TTA

Accreditation Document Repository for Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices

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 offices across the United States, offering a diverse range of materials contributed by accredited offices.
July 2025