Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York (OCME) is a government agency responsible for investigating deaths and performing autopsies in New York City. The OCME operates under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

History

The OCME was established in 1918, replacing the Coroner system that had been in place since the city's founding. The creation of the OCME was part of a broader movement to professionalize death investigations and improve public health.

Functions

The primary functions of the OCME include:

• Investigating deaths that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances.
• Performing autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death.
• Identifying human remains.
• Providing expert testimony in court cases.
• Conducting research and training in forensic pathology and related fields.

Divisions

The OCME is divided into several specialized divisions, including:

• The Forensic Pathology Division, which conducts autopsies and determines causes of death.
• The Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, which analyzes biological samples for the presence of drugs and other substances.
• The Forensic Anthropology Unit, which assists in the identification of skeletal remains.
• The Forensic Odontology Unit, which uses dental records to identify human remains.
• The Molecular Genetics Laboratory, which performs DNA testing for identification purposes.

Facilities

The OCME operates several facilities throughout New York City, including:

• The central office and main autopsy facility in Manhattan.
• Additional autopsy facilities in Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx.
• A specialized disaster morgue for handling mass fatality incidents.

Notable Cases

The OCME has been involved in several high-profile cases, including:

• The investigation of the September 11 attacks.
• The identification of victims from the American Airlines Flight 587 crash.
• The autopsy of Eric Garner.

Leadership

The OCME is headed by the Chief Medical Examiner, who is appointed by the Mayor of New York City. The current Chief Medical Examiner is Dr. Barbara Sampson.

See Also

• Forensic science
• Medical examiner
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Autopsy