Death Investigation Training Academy Blog

The roles of law enforcement officers and coroner/MDI’s  are slightly different at a death scene. Law enforcement officers are concerned with whether a crime has occurred. They approach each unknown death scene with the idea that a crime has occurred, and they...

BY MATTIE QUINN | AUGUST 2018 article Reprtinted with Permission  governing.com Jimmy Pollard has been the coroner of Henry County, Ky., since 1986. Growing up in the small county of just 15,000, he spent a lot of time in the local funeral home,...

Kenneth R. Lang, Ph.D. Most often, many shootings are committed in areas where there is ample space, providing minimal cover, for subjects involved in these dynamic events. However, on occasion, some shootings occur where a ‘target' presents itself for only a short...

Although each scene is different from another, it is important to discuss getting into the habit of documenting some of the most common events when arriving at a scene. Chronicling the time and recording the description of these events should become automatic when...

Statistically, most women and men who work in death investigations or emergency services have a spouse. But as an instructor/trainer for these industries, a marriage coach, and marriage veteran of over thirty years, it saddens me to see how many home lives are in...

by Dr. Judy Melinek It was one of the toughest phone conversations I have had in my 15 years as a forensic pathologist.  I had just completed the autopsy of a 3-month-old infant. He had spent the night sharing an adult bed with his mother and his 6-year-old brother....

As a leader, you either inspire your team toward a common goal, or you manipulate them.  This can also be the difference between a true leader and a ‘boss,'  which one are you? Let’s look at a couple of definitions to see exactly what I’m  referring to. Influence...

Kenneth R. Lang, Ph.D. Several driving forces propel someone to commit murder. Where greed, lust, and hatred represent just a few of those contributors, domestic-related murders remain to be an issue form a national perspective. Much has transitioned since...

It is said that dead men tell no lies. While that is undoubtedly true, live men tell lies and so do women. Quite possibly, the most lies are told to law enforcement professionals. It doesn't take a rookie long to catch on to the "I only had two beers," or, "These...