Department of Health and Social Services Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Joint Finance...

Department of Health and Social Services

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Joint Finance Committee HearingFiscal Year 2014

Richard T. Callery, M.D., F.C.A.PDivision DirectorFebruary 19, 2013

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & AccomplishmentsMISSION

To promote the sound administration of justice through the investigation of sudden,

accidental or suspicious deaths and the documentation and preservation of reliable

qualitative and quantitative scientific analysis of chemical and biological evidence samples.

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & Accomplishments

• Cause and manner of death• Positive forensic identification • Homicides, suicides and accidents. • Suspicious or questionable circumstances• Unexplained infant deaths• Persons with no primary care physician• 49.8% increase in workload 2001-2012

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & AccomplishmentsOCME-North

Wilmington, Delaware

OCME-SouthGeorgetown, Delaware

• Well below the national average of six to nine months.• Carefully monitor all report and analysis requests

regarding autopsy, toxicology and all other evidence.

• Met all statutory requirements for turn-around time for autopsy and inspection reports.

• Carefully monitor pending death certificate turn-around times from date of autopsy to final diagnosis

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & Accomplishments

• No court case overturned based on inaccurate or unscientific testimony

Delaware Health and Social Services

* Documentary currently being filmed by a Washington DC producer.

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & Accomplishments• Actively working on every

unidentified human remains case

• Closed two more historic unidentified remains cases in 2012

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & Accomplishments

• Every forensic laboratory including DNA, Toxicology, Arson, and Controlled Substances fully accredited by ISO

Delaware Health and Social Services

Overview & Accomplishments

• Exceptionally strong educational outreach program to the community.

Delaware Health and Social Services

ChallengesDeath takes no holiday.

We respond to death scenes, transport the dead and conduct autopsies 24/7,

365 days a year.

Delaware Health and Social Services

• 310% increase in criminal cases since origin of lab in 1999.

Challenges

Delaware Health and Social Services

Challenges

Delaware Health and Social Services

Challenges

Increasing drug laboratory workload and new legislation

Delaware Health and Social Services

Thank You