Forensic Science
The Office of the State Medical Examiner,
within the Division, is responsible for determining the cause and
manner of all violent, suspicious and unusual deaths. To do so, the
office conducts medical investigations of apparent homicides, suicides,
deaths from causes which might constitute a threat to the public health,
deaths of inmates, deaths of infants or children who are suspected
of having been abused or neglected, or deaths of children who have
died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This Office also monitors
health situations which threaten public safety and conducts medical
research involving these issues. The State Medical Examiner, who is
appointed by the Governor, also has general supervisory authority
over all county medical examiners.
