Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program
ABOUT ME/C
Across the United States, there is a shortage of practicing board-certified forensic pathologists. Additionally, there is a lot of variability in the field of medicolegal death investigation (MDI), resulting in inconsistencies in MDI services. The shortage of practitioners coupled with inconsistencies in service spurred the creation of the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program. Initiated in 2017, the ME/C Program aims to increase the number of practicing board-certified forensic pathologists and support ME/C offices in implementing quality standards and providing consistent services.
To learn more about the ME/C Program and potential funding opportunities, please visit Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program.
In the “2019 Report to Congress: Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices”, the National Institute of Justice outlined the extreme shortage of practicing board-certified forensic pathologists and highlighted the importance of implementing strong quality systems in these offices. In response to this report, the Strengthening the ME/C System Program was created and administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s, Office of Justice Programs, to provide funding to increase the number of qualified forensic pathology practitioners and assists ME/C offices in obtaining and maintaining accreditation. Accreditation allows for an independent body to assess an ME/C office’s quality assurance system and ensure the office has adequate staff, equipment, training, and facilities to provide a high standard of service. By addressing these gaps in the MDI field, the Strengthening the ME/C Program helps to ensure quality and consistency in the services provided by ME/Cs around the country.
Key Performance Metrics
Fellowship/Purpose Area 1:
- 61 fellowships funded
- 43 participants completed fellowship training
- 10,710 deaths investigated by fellows
- 11,540 autopsies performed by fellows
Accreditation/Purpose Area 2:
- 148 individuals seeking certification
- 28 individuals achieved certification
- 14 organizations achieved accreditation
GRANTEES
This map is representative of all ME/C Program awards made since 2020.
If you are interested in viewing more award data, please visit the OJP Award Data webpage.
| GRANTEE NAME | STATE | FISCAL YEAR(S) | PURPOSE AREA(S) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES | AK | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES | CA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF ALAMEDA | CA | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BUTTE | CA | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BOULDER | CO | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER | CT | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| DC OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER | DC | 2020 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| BROWARD COUNTY | FL | 2020 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF BROWARD | FL | 2021, 2022, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| DISTRICT ONE MEDICAL EXAMINER SUPPORT INC. | FL | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF ST LUCIE | FL | 2021 & 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF KANE | IL | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF MCHENRY | IL | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF MARION | IN | 2021 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| JOHNSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT | KS | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | MI | 2020 & 2022 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) & 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| GREENE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE | MO | 2020 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| NEW YORK CITY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER | NY | 2021 & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY | OH | 2020, 2021, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY | PA | 2020 & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) & 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF LEHIGH | PA | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| ANDERSON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE | SC | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF DORCHESTER | SC | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF BEAUFORT | SC | 2021 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | TN | 2020 & 2022 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| BEXAR COUNTY AUDITOR | TX | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY | TX | 2022 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH | UT | 2020 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) & 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH | VA | 2020 & 2021 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF KING | WA | 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF KITTATAS | WA | 2020 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
| MILWAUKEE COUNTY | WI | 2020 & 2022 | 1 (FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS) |
| COUNTY OF BROWN | WI | 2023 | 2 (MEDICAL EXAMINER CORONER OFFICE ACCREDITATION) |
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