RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Technology use among the nation's medical examiner and coroner offices
Data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices
Weinstein, L., Keyes, K. A., Brooks, C., Ascolese, M., Smiley McDonald, H. M., & Ropero-MIller, J. D. (2024). Technology use among the nation's medical examiner and coroner offices: Data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 8, Article 100477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100477
Technology uses among medical examiner and coroner (MEC) offices in the United States are not well characterized, yet technology is essential to job-performing duties. Resources, operational infrastructure, and MECs' policies and procedures that affect technology use should be better understood. MEC offices need access to technologies like internet, case management systems (CMSs), databases, and advanced imaging to perform their basic duties. A current state of the technologies MEC offices use to complete a death investigation is presented by analyzing data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices. This analysis shows the New England division reported the most internet and CMS access. Many offices reported limited access to, and low participation in, databases for assessing and sharing case data. Offices serving populations >250,000 have more access to the internet, CMSs, databases, and advanced imaging. Although MEC office technology use has improved over time, it is still disparate.
