The Medical Examiner division investigates cause and manner of death through the combined efforts of Forensic Death Investigations, Forensic Pathology, Morgue Services/Forensic Photography, Human Identification/Anthropology, and Histology. 

Medical examiners are physicians specially trained in forensic pathology to determine cause and manner of death of individuals who die suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently.  The presence or absence of disease, injury, or poisoning is ascertained by examination, as well as evaluating collected evidence and historical and law enforcement investigative information.  Medical examiners utilize data obtained from traditional medicine, pathology, toxicology, radiology, wound ballistics, trace evidence, forensic serology, and DNA technology to establish the cause and manner of death.

During MMM, pathologists come together and review the initial deceased information and discuss what testing (e.g., autopsy, external examination, toxicology tests, histology, microbiology) is the most applicable to determine the cause and manner of death.

Series Objectives

Upon completion of this activity leaners should be able to:

• Discuss the proper autopsy protocol to be used in each case assigned
• Identify any particular issue that must be addressed in the forensic autopsy
• Examine the data obtained from different sources (e.g., pathology, toxicology, radiology, etc.) to determine the cause and manner of death
• Apply the evidence based practices to determine the cause and manner of death
• Summarize the key learning points presented in the case

Target Audience

This activity is intended for physicians.