Oregon State Medical Examiner: Changing the Umbrella from Public Health to State Police

This article describes the transition of the Oregon State Medical Examiner from public health agency oversight to an entity that is now administratively within the Oregon State Police (OSP), along with relevant office history. Data are drawn from personal experience and statutes. There are those that feel it is a conflict of interest to operate a medical examiner (ME) program as part of a police agency. The majority of any medical examiner cases are medical problems, not criminal issues. Forensic pathologist medical examiners are trained to tell the difference. OSP has supported the ME program infinitely more in every way than the prior public health agency. To date, no conflict or pressure has been brought to change or influence the conduct of a death investigation and the issue has never been raised in the courtroom. The ME program was poorly understood, underfunded, understaffed, and on the verge of collapse under the health department administration, but continues to thrive and improve under the Oregon State Police. Other medical examiner systems with lack of funding and support may wish to consider the Oregon experience.