Just 11 states, including Utah, have a statewide medical examiner instead of a version of a local elected coroner to lead death investigations. Sometimes, that elected official has little or no investigative or medical experience. Utah’s office has a dozen highly trained forensic pathology experts and a number of trained and certified medical investigators, as well. The office is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. Here are three key points: The Office of the Medical Examiner in Utah has unique features, including emphasis on data collection, bolstering tissue recovery and helping bereaved families. The office has jurisdiction over about 35% of Utah deaths in a given year. In 2023, it investigated nearly 8,000 deaths. The investigations help figure out and label cause of death, but also manner of death, which could be accident, homicide, suicide, natural or undetermined. Eleven forensic pathologists are all board certified physicians, many with different specialties, including neurological pathologists and a pediatric pathologist. A forensic pathology fellow is completing his fellowship at the U. of U. Medical School. The investigators are also board certified. "Our level of training and experience is pretty unparalleled," Dr. Deirdre Amaro, Utah's chief medical examiner, said. Read more about the Utah medical examiner office and the unique services it provides. More in Utah Forecasters warn of slick roads hitting Utah with upcoming storm (KSL) Why Pelion Venture Partners invested in Strider (Utah Business) Draper aquarium inviting public to meet, name new zebra shark (KSL) Yes, Utah still relies on coal, but it’s a shrinking part of the energy mix (KUER) Utah's gas prices falling before Thanksgiving (Axios) Utah Red Cross to celebrate 30th anniversary of 'Friends' TV show with call for blood donations (KSL) Black bear sightings are on the rise in Zion National Park, officials say (St George News) Lehi celebrates opening of new fire station that aims to improve response times (Daily Herald) Confusion over access: Residents question whether Epic Sports Park is truly public (Deseret News) | 