Connecticut Medical Examiner's Office Loses Full Accreditation

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has lost its full accreditation after a recent inspection.

The National Association of Medical Examiners noted four major deficiencies, three of which relate to staffing levels. The other deficiency is for inadequate refrigerated body storage space.

Losing full accreditation has been anticipated since last year. Medical examiners have to perform more than 325 autopsies per year, which is more than what NAME allows for full accreditation.

Since the inspection some vacant staff positions have been filled and a new refrigerated storage space is being put out to bid in March.

"The only anticipated remaining hurdle that will prevent the OCME from regaining full accreditation is the need for two additional medical examiners," OCME said in a statement.

NAME accreditation instills confidence in police departments, attorneys and families served.

"Loss of accreditation means that an office cannot meet the minimal standards of practice for death investigation," OCME said in a statement. "Mistakes by a medical examiner put people’s lives at risk, can result in the innocent imprisoned, and cost millions of dollars in civil claims."

OCME has until Sept. 27 to fix deficiencies in order to be eligible for full accreditation.