The Alaska State Medical Examiner Office Strengthening the Medical Examiner's System

The Alaska State Medical Examiner Office has served the people of Alaska for 26 years and is experiencing a yearly increase in caseload with insufficient funds to properly update equipment and the facility. The State Medical Examiner Office is seeking grant funds to make necessary improvements to become nationally accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). The program's objective is NAME accreditation, providing the best practices and excellence in forensic pathology and death investigation to the State of Alaska. NAME accreditation will provide leadership and advocacy, ensuring the continued high level of work completed at that State Medical Examiner Office. Accreditation will enhance public health through thorough and accurate death investigations. The program's foundation is the current deficiencies of the Alaska State Medical Examiner Office and The NAME Inspection. BJA funding will allow the Alaska State Medical Examiner Office to obtain the necessary improvements to its equipment and facilities to become accredited and provide continuing education opportunities to certified staff.