About

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, odontologist, pathologist assistants, lab personnel, medical examiner investigators, autopsy technicians, forensic photographers and administrative team members. 

Mission

To identify, investigate and determine the cause and manner of death of people who die in the County of Wayne under the circumstances or conditions described by Act No. 92 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1969.

The purpose of the Wayne County Medical Examiner Office is to provide forensic death investigations, autopsies and toxicological services to the general public, medical, legal and criminal justice community so they can have documented, timely and accurate cause and manner of death for individuals who died in Wayne County. 

Vision

To be a premier urban forensic institute that is part of the broader framework of Wayne State University and the community, with collaborations from other schools and specialties.

Strategic Pillars

The Strategic pillars for the MEO office will be supported by using technological innovations, Implementing NAME standards, facility renovations and transparent communications with all stakeholders

Governance Structure

The operating agreement created a joint governance structure for the Wayne County Medical Examiner Office. This led to the establishment of an Executive Committee, which will be responsible for setting the strategic direction, guiding overall operations, monitoring administrative and programmatic functions, establishing key performance indicators, considering feedback from the Joint Advisory Committee, making recommendations regarding growth, community engagement and expansion of the related partnership.

The Executive Committee is comprised of seven members, three appointed by WSU and four employed by Wayne County and appointed by the county executive. One member appointed by WSU shall be a nonvoting ex-officio member of the committee from a total of three ex-officio members.