Upload
gillian-hensley
View
218
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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