DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office

Our lead Pathologists' Assistant, Juniper E. Fedor, MS, PA (ASCP)cm was awarded the Eckert Memorial Award for his publication "Gender Identity in Forensic Death Investigation: A Narrative Review and Suggested Guidelines for Documenting and Reporting" which was deemed "most innovative, useful, important, and otherwise influential in the practice of forensic pathology" published in the 2023-2024 American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. Forensic Medicine Associates, Inc.

November is Eye Donation Month ??? This month, the Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. graciously hosted a tour of their beautiful facility for our office. The Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the donation, recovery, and distribution of human eye tissue for corneal transplants and other medical purposes. Their primary mission is to improve and restore sight to individuals who suffer from corneal blindness or other vision impairments through the use of donated eye tissue. The Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. is responsible for corneal donations, corneal transplantation, and research and education. By facilitating eye donations, the Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for patients in need of sight-restoring procedures. We are grateful for the opportunity to tour your facility and learn more about your incredible work. Thank you for the warm welcome! Forensic Medicine Associates, Inc.

November is Eye Donation Month ??? This month, the Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. graciously hosted a tour of their beautiful facility for our office. The Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the donation, recovery, and distribution of human eye tissue for corneal transplants and other medical purposes. Their primary mission is to improve and restore sight to individuals who suffer from corneal blindness or other vision impairments through the use of donated eye tissue. The Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. is responsible for corneal donations, corneal transplantation, and research and education. By facilitating eye donations, the Georgia Eye Bank, Inc. plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for patients in need of sight-restoring procedures. We are grateful for the opportunity to tour your facility and learn more about your incredible work. Thank you for the warm welcome! Forensic Medicine Associates, Inc.

Empowering young minds at Champion Theme Middle School! ???? Marquel Johnson, Forensic Lab Technician, and Brittany Godfrey, Public Education Specialist, DeKalb County K-9 Officer, Ronnie Viar, and Arlo visited Champion Theme Middle School for Red Ribbon Week to educate students about the dangers of drugs. By educating young students we can help them build a safer future!

Happy Medical Student Monday! ?? Please welcome our November 2024 PCOM Georgia Medical Student! ?? John Matechak is a fourth-year medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, GA. John is originally from Marietta, GA. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor's degree and then went on to complete his graduate studies at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. John wants to become an Emergency Physician. He is hoping to learn more about pathology, toxicology, and traumas that will come to his ER. He believes having a firm foundation in pathology will help him become a better doctor. Learning from the staff at Dekalb County ME will be a unique and exciting learning opportunity?that will amplify his medical knowledge. In his free time, John enjoys being outside whether that is riding his bicycle, hiking, or paddle the rivers in Georgia. In addition to this he is on the hunt with his wife to find the best French pastries in Atlanta! #WeAreME #PCOM #PCOMGA #MedicalStudentMonday #MedicalStudent #EducationProgram #FutureDoctors?

Gail Parker, BA gave an informative presentation at the National Association of Medical Examiners 2024 Annual Meeting titled "Modernizing Medical Examiner Data Systems: The Power of FHIR." The antiquated state of data collection practices remains one of the biggest impediments within the medical examiner and coroner (ME/C) systems nationally with regards to standardization and interoperability. Outdated workflows not only cost staff time but also divert limited budgetary funds towards maintaining legacy methodologies rather than pioneering new solutions. This presentation showcased how strategic partnerships between ME/C offices and supporting federal agencies can catalyze the adoption of more modern data systems. Our office was recently awarded grant funds from the CDC Foundation (CDCF) to improve public health reporting efficiencies. This funding has allowed us to develop an Application Program Interface (API) utilizing the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) data standard between our case management system, MDI-Log, and two of Georgia's public health reporting systems, the Violent Death Reporting System (VDRS) and the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). Our success in developing an interoperable data exchange system highlights how ME/C offices can leverage outside funding opportunities to build integrated, automated systems that improve workflow, staff efficiency, and increase ME/C office participation in important federal programs. For ME/C professionals, our journey serves as both technical and practical roadmap for navigating data modernization efforts. While the data landscape appears complex, and the establishment of “standard” terminology seems daunting. Gail's presentation demystified the process of procuring grant funds and partnering with vendors and organizations that share innovative values. Data standardization enables ME/C offices to harness the transformative potential of data collection and reporting. It propels our field into the future and enhances service to the public. By transitioning from outdated data systems to integrated, interoperable systems and standards, medicolegal agencies nationally may gain a more complete view of local issues to the state and national populations. Forensic Medicine Associates, Inc.

DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office was recently invited to present to criminal justice and forensic science students at Clayton State University about the complexities of death investigations. We explored the vital role of the medical examiner's office in uncovering the causes, manners, and circumstances of death, emphasizing the connection between science, justice, and public health, and outlining the various careers and career paths within our office. We would like to thank Andrea A. and Clayton State University for giving us the opportunity to speak and answer questions to the engaging crowd.? Alma Fuller Hannah Coltrain, MS, PA(ASCP) Brittany Godfrey

Bone Pathology: Infectious Diseases Osteomyelitis is a bone infection from a pathogen. The infection can occur when a bone is exposed from trauma, but it can also originate from nearby tissue or through traveling in the bloodstream. The bone will often appear swollen and be coupled with bone growths and periosteal reactions. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that develops in stages. Bone lesions can start as early as the secondary stage, but gummatous lesions are more common in tertiary stage syphilis. These lesions cause severe pain, syphilitic osteomyelitis, and bone necrosis. Those with congenital syphilis can have malformations like saber shins, Hutchinson's teeth, and mulberry molars. Skeletal tuberculosis occurs when the infection spreads from the lungs to the bones. Pott’s disease is a specific kind of skeletal tuberculosis that happens when the infection affects the spine (vertebral column). Tuberculosis can cause joint pain and stiffness, bone lesions, paraparesis or paraplegia, and skeletal abnormalities such as kyphotic or scoliotic deformities.

Diseases can affect bones in different ways depending on the pathogen or condition. Pathological effects can be observed when there is excessive bone growth or destruction of skeletal tissue. Some pathologies have very distinct presentations on bones which can be used as indicators for identification.

Happy International Pathology Day! Today, we celebrate the crucial role pathologists play in transforming diagnosis into hope, healing, and in our case, determining cause and manner of death. Their insights are the foundation of modern medicine. ???? #internationalpathologyday