This Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) fact sheet provides a brief overview of the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program.
This fact sheet published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) summarizes the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program, including information about program funding and awards, program accomplishments, and a grantee spotlight and program highlights. The medicolegal death investigation (MDI) workforce is experiencing a national shortage of practicing, board-certified forensic pathologists. Furthermore, there is variability in the practice of death investigation across the United States, resulting in an inconsistent provision of MDI services. The Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program was initiated in 2017 to increase the number of practicing, board-certified forensic pathologists and to strengthen the quality and consistency of medical examiner-coroner (ME/C) services to ensure equitable application of death investigation services. Two purpose areas are funded under this program: (1) forensic pathology fellowships, and (2) ME/C office accreditation.