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Medicolegal death investigations

Just Autopsy Results and Crime Scene Reconstruction

November 2022

In episode one of our Case Studies: Part 2 mini season, Just Science sat down with Kelly Ayers, an International Association for Identification Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst, to discuss how preliminary autopsy results can help investigators piece together a story of what happened at a crime scene. For crime scene investigators, preliminary autopsy results issued by forensic pathologist and medical examiners can be used in conjunction with other disciplines, such as bloodstain pattern analysis, to provide pivotal information about a case.

Just Forensic Archaeology and Body Dump Sites

August 2022

In episode three of our Case Studies Part one mini season, Just Science sat down with Dr. Sharon Moses, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Northern Arizona University, to discuss forensic archeology and locating victims of no-body homicides. Forensic archeologists can play a critical role in body recovery and search strategies for locating human remains because homicide offender’s choices and body disposal sites are influenced by various social and environmental factors.

MDI Myth: Talking with Decedent’s Families is Simple and Routine

September 2024

When working within a coroner or medical examiner’s office, engaging with the bereaved is a daily task. While this task can sometimes feel monotonous or routine, this webinar challenges this myth and shows that it should be anything but. It provides insight on the importance of a trauma informed approach to supporting all grieving individuals. It discusses the value of collaborating with trained professionals, such as victim advocates, and lessons learned from the presenters’ combined years of experience working with people experiencing trauma.

MDI Myth: Rapid Toxicology Screening Tools Can Replace Traditional

October 2024

This session busts the myth that new toxicology screening tools can fully replace traditional toxicology testing. The session discusses the appropriate integration of current rapid toxicology screening tools into MEC offices as a method of triaging cases, rather than a determination of toxicology related causes of deaths.

Assessing Stress Among MDI and Building Resilient Professionals Compressed

September 2024

Former medicolegal death investigators highlight the mental health challenges faced by medicolegal death investigation professionals, particularly the effects of indirect trauma. By sharing personal experiences, research data, and practical strategies, they aim to raise awareness about early signs of PTSD, stress, and burnout. Emphasizing the importance of resilience, community support, and vulnerability, the presentation encourages fostering trauma-informed workplaces and prioritizing wellness, including practical strategies.

National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

Overview

What is NamUs?

Resolving missing and unidentified persons cases is especially complex. Information-sharing across agencies and jurisdictions can be fragmented, paired with limited investigative resources and a high volume of cases. In many instances, significant time has passed since the person went missing. Still, we have a societal responsibility to ensure dignified and lawful outcomes. Each resolution can also uncover links to multiple crimes—and...

Modern Death Investigation: Hub and Spoke Models for Adequate Workforce

November 2023

This webinar describes the history, structure, and operations of the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The system includes four regional offices staffed by forensic pathologists supervising over 100 appointed Local Medical Examiners. Decedents requiring autopsy are transported to a regional office, while most external examinations are performed in the community by appointed Local Medical Examiners.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on November 7, 2023.

MDI Myth: Nobody Cares About or Uses MDI Data

November 2024

Misconceptions abound regarding the role of medicolegal death investigation (MDI) professionals, particularly the pervasive belief that they solely work with and for the deceased. This perception often leads to a public reluctance in engaging with medical examiner and coroner (MEC) systems, especially from stakeholders who hold the proverbial purse strings. The reality is, MDI data impacts the living, from assisting grieving families to influencing public health at regional and even national levels.

Forensic Use Of GPR And LiDAR Technology For Clandestine Grave Detection

April 2024

Following a multi-month course of data collection using simulated human gravesites, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) researcher Jordan Mullikin will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of GPR for the detection of unmarked graves. Additionally, this webinar will explore Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology for the same purpose and investigate the potential integration of both technologies for optimal detection of clandestine graves within the law enforcement and forensic communities.

Molecular Autopsy Implementation Panel

This event features a multi-disciplinary panel of experts including forensic pathologists, medical examiners, cardiologists, geneticists, genetic counselors, and cardiac geneticists. Additionally, five pre-recorded presentations are available to familiarize oneself with molecular autopsies and provide context for the live expert panel discussion.

Transient Workforce in Forensic Pathology: Challenges, Rewards Compressed

November 2023

A roadmap to successfully utilizing contract forensic pathologists, also known as locum tenens, was presented by a Chief Medical Examiner and a Coroner with extensive experience in employing these useful contractors to perform forensic autopsies and other professional tasks in today’s environment of increasing caseloads. Topics include the forensic pathologist workforce shortage, scheduling, budgeting, fee structures, and different business models for the use of locum tenens forensic pathologists in busy Medical Examiner and Coroner offices. \

Improving Methods Using Machine Learning and Databases in Forensic Anthropology

December 2023

Part I: GeoFOR is a free web-based collaborative forensic taphonomic application and database that utilizes geospatial technology and machine learning to deliver data-driven postmortem interval estimations to better facilitate identification and reconstruct events around the time of death. This presentation describes the geoFOR application and its potential for advancing the field of forensic science.  

Age Estimation from the Pubic Symphysis: Back to Basics

January 2023

The pubic symphysis joint on the pubic bone is frequently used in anthropology to estimate age-at-death in late adolescent and adult individuals. This webinar will provide a background on the age indicator, as well as a review of the anatomical features used in the age estimation methods based on this joint. The primary focus of the webinar is to help participants better interpret the written phase descriptions in pubic symphysis age estimation methods.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 11, 2023.