The State of Montana Forensic Science Division identified challenges in their death investigation structure. The concept of an experienced death investigator liaison position was devised to bridge a resource gap and provide on-the-ground consultation, training, and support for the state’s independent coroner system. The Forensic Science Division partnered with the National Center on Forensics, supported by a grant from the National Institute of Justice, along with George Mason University, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and the National Association of Attorney Generals to initiate a Coroner Liaison position in 2021. The goals of the position were to:

• Assist and support each of the coroner offices and identify avenues for improvement both locally and statewide.
• Support the state coroner system and two medical examiner offices by improving communication between offices.
• Assist with and be a resource for death investigations and training. 
• Work toward statewide consistency in death investigation procedures.
• Increase usage and optimize the use of the state’s new death case management system (DCMS).

The liaison position has been in place three years as of this writing, and significant progress has been made with the quality of death investigations in the state.

Access a release from the Statement of Montana Department of Justice to learn more about this effort, the functions of the liaison position, and its impact in Montana.