Overview
Following the conceptualization of the popular MythBusters television series (Discovery Channel 2003-2016), this webinar series explores evidence-based methods, operational decision making, and case study findings to prove or disprove common beliefs about medicolegal death investigation. It is widely accepted that medical examiner and coroner (MEC) systems are disparate systems. Likewise, among MEC personnel and supporting forensic scientists there is perceived variance in understanding and implementing new technologies, resources, standards, policies, and procedures. With differing levels of training, exposure, and access to resources, false assumptions and beliefs, or myths, can develop. The goal of this webinar series, designed for those working in MEC offices and adjunct disciplines, is to BUST some of these myths through discussions and case studies by practitioners from the forensic community.
This five-part series provides information on various emerging topics in medicolegal death investigation (MDI) and related forensic disciplines. Each session will focus on a myth within the MDI community and provide evidence, research, and best practices to educate participants on that topic so they can make informed decisions within their offices. Various professionals from around the country will present and discuss topics of interest to the MEC community where there is a lack of consensus among the community. After each topic's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask the presenter(s) questions.
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence is proud to offer up to 5 credit hours of ABMDI Continuing Education Credits for this webinar series.
Webinars
MDI Myth: Talking with Decedent’s Families is Simple and Routine
This webinar occurred on September 26, 2024
Presenters: Meghan Clark & Derek Coats
When working within a coroner or medical examiner's office, engaging with the bereaved is a daily task. While it can feel monotonous and routine, this webinar will challenge this myth and show that it should be anything but. It will provide insight on the importance of a trauma informed approach to supporting all grieving individuals. It will discuss the value of collaborating with trained professionals, such as victim advocates, and will discuss lessons learned from the presenters’ combined years of experience working with people experiencing trauma.
MDI Myth: We Don’t Need to Worry About Diversity in Medicolegal Death Investigation
This webinar occurred on October 3, 2024
Presenter: Dr. Jan Gorniak
This session will bust the myth that diversity isn’t important and that there is already enough diversity within the MDI community. It will provide context on why diversity matters and simple steps to take to recognize when contextual bias can affect decision-making and the investigation process. Additionally, it will present steps MDI professionals can take to be more mindful and inclusive of how cultural backgrounds affect responses to issues of death. Death investigators should be sensitive to families’ cultural, ethnic, religious, and language diversity.
MDI Myth: Rapid Toxicology Screening Tools Can Replace Traditional Toxicology Testing – No Need to Confirm
This webinar occurred on October 8, 2024
Presenters: Bobbi Jo O'Neal & Dr. Robert A. Middleberg
This session will bust the myth that new toxicology screening tools can fully replace traditional toxicology testing. This session will discuss the appropriate integration of current rapid toxicology screening tools into MEC offices as a method of triaging cases, rather than a determination of toxicology related causes of deaths. Topics covered in this webinar will include the rationale for rapid screening at different points in the investigation (e.g., triage of case); differences between toxicology screening and confirmation testing; and exemplar case studies to highlight salient points.
MDI Myth: Next-Of-Kin Aren’t That Hard to Find
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Presenter: Charlotte Carter
Identifying, locating, and notifying next-of-kin (NOK) is an essential duty of Medicolegal Death Investigators (MDIs). Without NOK the decedent’s affairs will not be settled and the disposition of remains will be delayed. Often NOK are present at the time of death or have been notified by hospital staff or other agencies. However, when NOK is not immediately obvious, it becomes challenging for MDIs to notify them. This webinar will guide MDIs through some helpful search methods used to locate and notify NOK.
MDI Myth: Nobody Cares About or Uses MDI Data
Thursday, November 7, 2024 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Presenters: Dr. Deirdre Amaro & Dr. Michael Staley
Misconceptions abound regarding the role of medicolegal death investigation (MDI) professionals, particularly the pervasive belief that they solely work with and for the deceased. This perception often leads to a public reluctance in engaging with medical examiner and coroner (MEC) systems, especially from stakeholders who hold the proverbial purse strings. The reality is, MDI data impacts the living, from assisting grieving families to influencing public health at regional and even national levels. This presentation will include specific examples highlighting the impact of MDI professionals beyond death investigations.
ABMDI Credit
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence is proud to offer up to 5 credit hours of ABMDI Continuing Education Credits for this webinar series.
ABMDI credits will be calculated by total time spent watching. For the best viewing experience, each individual webinar is designed to be watched in its entirety in one sitting.
Each webinar results in a certificate of completion and can only be completed one time for credit. If you experience any difficulty accessing your certificates, please contact forensicCOE@rti.org.
We are unable to administer CE credit to users watching in groups. In order to receive your CE credits, you must be logged in to our learning ecosystem under your own name. If you are not logged in under your own name, you will not receive CE credits.
Learn more about ABMDI credits here. To check out what other Continuing Education opportunities are available with the FTCOE, click here!
Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence webinar series has been provided by the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance's COSSUP, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
All Forensic Technology Center of Excellence live webinars are hosted using Zoom Webinar. Live webinars are archived and posted on our website. This archived webinar series is in development and undergoing additional processing to provide ABMDI CE credits, updates coming soon. Archived webinars do not require access to the Zoom platform.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar series are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.
