This 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 discussed.