Proceedings are presented for the Forensic Death Investigation Symposium held in Scottsdale, AZ, on June 7-9, 2010, at which coroners, medical examiners, medico legal death investigators, officers of the court, and other forensic science practitioners discussed current and future needs of the forensic death investigation community.
Participants discussed communication concerns; legal and ethical issues; education, training, and certification programs; technology; and areas for future research in death investigation. Participants also discussed issues addressed in the National Academy of Science report entitled "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward." Online access is provided to summaries of symposium sessions on enhancing policy and practice; navigating legal issues; leveraging technology; communication breakdown; and education, training, and certificate programs. Online access is also provided for the agenda of the symposium, the National Academy of Sciences report, and National Institute of Justice grant awards related to pathology and death investigations.