Assistant Medical Examiner Program
Welcome to the Assistant Medical Examiner Training Program
Welcome to the Assistant Medical Examiner Program!
We are thrilled to have you join our team dedicated to upholding the highest standards in forensic investigation and promoting the well-being of communities. As a medical examiner, you play a crucial role in uncovering the truth behind unexpected deaths and providing closure to grieving families.
Respecting the families we encounter is paramount to our mission. Every individual we investigate was a unique person with a life story, cherished by their loved ones. It is our responsibility to approach each case with empathy, sensitivity, and professionalism, understanding the immense impact their loss has on those left behind. By treating families with compassion and respect, we not only honor the memory of the deceased but also provide support to those who are navigating the difficult process of grieving.
While our duty is to examine the causes of death, it is equally essential to emphasize the importance of prevention. Every life lost is a reminder of the fragility of human existence, and we must strive to prevent such tragedies whenever possible. Through our meticulous investigations, we gather valuable insights that can contribute to the prevention of future deaths, whether by identifying patterns, evaluating public health risks, or recommending safety measures.
Remember, each case we handle is an opportunity to advocate for justice and generate meaningful change. By maintaining the highest ethical standards, adhering to rigorous scientific protocols, and collaborating effectively with law enforcement and other healthcare professionals, we can uphold the integrity of our work and ensure accurate findings that withstand scrutiny.
In this program, you will:
- Learn the process of Autopsy
- How to determine the manner, mechanism, and time of death
- Learn standard anatomical directions and regional terms that will help you write detailed reports
- Body Systems ( Skeleton, Integumentary, Digestive, Endocrine, Circulatory, Nervous, Cells/Tissues)
- Forensic Anthropology
- Toxicology
- Given murder mysteries to solve
- Given complicated cases (we need help!)
Your commitment to this program demonstrates your dedication to improving the lives of others and your willingness to face the challenges that come with it. Together, let us strive to foster a culture of compassion, respect, and prevention as we continue to serve the community and honor the memories of those we encounter.
Once again, welcome to the Assistant Medical Examiner Program. We are excited to embark on this meaningful journey with you, making a lasting difference in the lives of families and our society as a whole.
Your first assignment is to watch this 20-minute video on the importance of an educated medical examiner!
*Warning contains Explicit Language*
Intro: Reviewing and Comprehending Autopsy Reports
PERIOD 1
Video:
What Actually Happens During an Autopsy
Online Autopsy:
LAB:
PERIOD 2
Video:
Notes (Fill in):
Worksheets:
Directional Terms Worksheet
Bodies Planes & Sections Practice
Unit 1: Death, Manner, and Mechanism: Intro to Medical Examiner Science
PERIOD 3
Lecture:
Death, Manner, and Mechanism of Death with Mr. Haney
Notes (Fill in):
Worksheet:
PERIOD 4
Video:
Worksheet:
LAB:
PERIOD 5
Video:
Notes:
PERIOD 6
TIME FOR A MURDER INVESTIGATION!
LAB:
Unit 2: Forensic Anthropology
PERIOD 7
Welcome to Unit 2: Forensic Anthropology
Hello ME Trainee. We just got a case in and need you to take a look at it. A jogger was out and noticed a skull protruding from the ground and promptly called the police. Our medical examiner mobile unit was dispatched, and our staff identified that it was indeed human remains and brought it into the office to be ID’d. We need you to help us identify possible sex, race, and age to see if we can match it with the missing person’s database. But first, we need to get you up to speed on the basics of the skeletal system. Let’s start your journey. Watch the video and complete the study activities.
Lecture:
The Skeletal System: Crash Course Anatomy & Physiology #19
The Skeletal System: Crash Course A&P #20
Study:
Anatomy Coloring Sheets (Coloring Optional)
Play this online Skeleton Label Game
PERIOD 8
Great Job ME trainee! Let’s continue to work on studying those bones today. But first, watch this lecture by ME assistant graduate Amaris Aloise from Glendora High School to get an introduction to Forensic Anthropology and how we identify bones.
Video:
Study Lab:
Crash Course App A&P Flashcards
Anatomy Coloring Sheets (Coloring Optional)
Play this online Skeleton Label Game
PERIOD 9
Keep studying. Today you will receive a lecture by Mr. Hainey on Forensic Anthropology. Remember to fill in your notes so you can have a reference for your future work.
Video:
Mr. Hainey Intro to Forensic Anthropology
Notes:
Activity:
Answer Part 2: Analysis Only (Part 1 Optional)
PERIOD 10
Today you will watch Forensic Files about a Human Skull discovered at a Boy Scout Camp near Farmington, Missouri. Fill in the notes as you watch. Don’t forget you can pause the video or go back if you need to in order to fill in the worksheet 🙂
VIDEO:
Forensic Files: The Talking Skull
Notes:
Forensic Files: The Talking Skull
Activity:
Complete the Determing Age & Sex Activity
PERIOD 11
Forensic anthropologists do great work. Watch the videos to see some real-life examples of how FA have helped identify victims, bring closure to the family, and locate missing people.
VIDEO:
Study Lab:
Crash Course App A&P Flashcards
Anatomy Coloring Sheets (Coloring Optional)
Play this online Skeleton Label Game
PERIOD 12
Alright, the time has come. The police are asking if we have Id’d the bones yet, let’s get to work. Watch the video, then complete the activity. Click on the activity link, and you will find a picture of the crime scene. We’ve taken the bones and created tracings so we can measure them with a ruler. Click on the dots near the bones to bring up the bones, then the arrows on the picture to find the measurements. Fill out the Bones Virtual Lab worksheet. Good luck. There is a family counting on you!
Video:
Forensic Anthropology: Identifying Individuals
Activity:
Unit 3: Body Cavities: Overview
PERIOD 13
Welcome to Unit 3: Body Cavities
Welcome back, ME Trainee.
During an autopsy, the deceased’s internal organs are carefully examined to gather valuable information about their health and the circumstances surrounding their death.
The removal of organs is a crucial part of the autopsy process. Organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain are carefully dissected and examined by a pathologist. By examining the organs, the pathologist can identify any abnormalities, such as tumors, infections, or structural defects, that may have contributed to the individual’s death.
Documenting the body cavities in autopsy reports is essential for several reasons:
- Identification of abnormalities: By thoroughly documenting the body cavities, the pathologist can identify any abnormalities or injuries that may have been missed during the external examination. This includes injuries to internal organs, fractures, hemorrhages, or signs of disease that may not be immediately visible.
- Comprehensive documentation: Accurate and detailed documentation of the body cavities ensures that all significant findings are recorded. This information is vital for legal purposes, research, and the compilation of accurate statistics related to causes of death.
- Providing a complete picture: Documenting body cavities allows the pathologist to paint a complete picture of the individual’s health status and any disease relationships in body systems. This information can be valuable for understanding disease patterns, identifying public health concerns, and improving medical knowledge.
- Support for legal and investigative purposes: In cases where the cause of death is unclear or suspicious, the thorough examination and documentation of body cavities can provide important evidence. This information can assist forensic investigations, help determine if a crime has been committed, or support legal proceedings.
Overall, autopsies and the removal of organs are vital in providing valuable information about a person’s cause of death, identifying underlying diseases or conditions, and aiding in legal and investigative processes. Pathologists ensure that a comprehensive record is created by carefully documenting body cavities in autopsy reports, allowing for accurate diagnosis, research, and the pursuit of justice when necessary.
Watch the videos below to learn about the different cavities in the human body. Fill in notes with the correct information from the videos and complete the matching assignment.
Lecture:
Notes:
Activities:
Body Cavities Matching: Save a copy and drag and drop, or you may print out and glue and paste the correct labels to the correct area.
Fun game practicing your body cavities with Hasbro’s game Operation.
Unit 3A: Dorsal Cavity
PERIOD 14
Clock in, and let’s get started. We had a case come into the morgue today that I thought would be highly interesting to you. The individual, a 70-year-old female originally from the highlands of New Guinea, suffered from tremors, mood changes, and an unsteady gait, which progressed to an inability to eat or stand. She was in a comatose state for six months prior to her death. She did NOT display any signs of memory loss. What do you think it could be? I will need you to dissect the brain and send a sample to pathology for testing. I’ll tell you my hypothesis and what I believe it to be, but first, let’s learn about the nervous system to give you some background before we open the skull and dissect the brain.
Video:
Notes:
Fill in notes while watching the video
Activity:
PERIOD 15
In the section before, we learned about The Nervous System. We learned that the nervous system is divided into higher level divisions such as the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripherial Nervous System (PNS). The PNS is further divided into the Autonomic (ANS) and the Somatic nervous system (SNS). We learned about neurons and nerve impulses. Today we will do a little more in-depth studying and learn about the different types of Neurons. Watch the video below and fill in the notes with the correct information. Remember our patient in the morgue? They had trouble with speech, standing, Ataxia (walking/coordination) and mood. I suspect that whatever caused their death had something to do with their nervous system. Keep studying to solve the case.
Video:
Crash Course: Nervous System Part #1
Crash Course: Nervous System Part #2
Notes:
Fill in Notes
Study:
Crash Course A&P Study Decks 8 & 9
PERIOD 16
Today you will learn about the brain
VIDEO:
Crash Course: The Central Nervous System
Notes:
Fill in Study Notes
Study:
Study Decks 8 & 9, 11
Activity:
PERIOD 17
VIDEO:
Study Lab:
PERIOD 18
Video:
Activity:
Unit 3B: Thoracic Cavity
PERIOD 1
Welcome to Unit 3B: Thoracic Cavities
Welcome back ME Trainee.
Lecture:
Notes:
Activities:
PERIOD 2
Video:
Notes:
PERIOD 3
Video:
Notes:
Activity:
PERIOD 4
VIDEO:
Notes:
Activity:
PERIOD 5
VIDEO:
Study Lab:
PERIOD 6
Video:
Activity:
Resources used in this program:
Dr. S. Montgomery “Assistant Medical Examiner Bundle” ($)
Crash Course
