Activity

Activity Description

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) requested a workshop on the medicolegal death investigation system for a variety of reasons, including the use of expert testimony and evidence in the courtroom. The IOM conducted a workshop to determine priority issues for a larger IOM study and issued a report of the workshop for NIJ's consideration.

The workshop highlighted the status, needs, and potential of the medicolegal death investigation system in the United States as administered by the medical examiners and coroners. The focus was on the role of the medical examiner/coroner death investigation system and its promise for improving: the criminal justice system; health and medical care; public health surveillance; epidemiologic research; prevention programs; and response to bioterrorism. Professionalization and standardization of death investigation systems and operations were also discussed.

The goal of the workshop was to identify issues for study and to make a determination regarding the utility of an IOM study in this area. For more information