Welcome

The Wayne County Medical Examiner Office was established in 1926. Services in the current office began in 1995. The office serves a jurisdiction consisting of 1.8 million people.

It is one of the busiest offices, fourth in the United States by volume of deaths and autopsies conducted. More than 18,000 deaths are reported to the office each year and about 3,500 decedents are accepted into the office for further investigation.

Full autopsies are performed on 70% of these cases. Another core function of the office is the timely and efficient processing of the more than 14,000 cremation authorizations a year. The office is staffed by board-certified forensic pathologists, forensic anthropologists, odontologists, pathologist assistants, lab personnel, medical examiner investigators, autopsy technicians, forensic photographers and administrative team members. 

Recent accomplishments

Since operations were assumed by Wayne State University, the major focus has been placed on recruiting several forensic pathologists, medical examiner investigators, autopsy technicians and pathologist assistants. There has been a 33% increase in the recruitment of forensic pathologists and a 150% increase in the recruitment of medical examiner investigators. All other open positions have been filled.

• Forensic pathologist recruitment: from four to six, and currently recruiting 
• Medical examiner investigators: from 12 to 18
• Autopsy technicians: from six to eight
• Other positions: from three to four
• Overall staffing changes: nine positions filled