FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Medicolegal Death Investigator Workload Analysis

Keyword(s): Death investigation, workload, mixed methods, investigations

Submitting subcommittee(s): MDI Date Approved: 2/28/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes, there is a standard currently being worked on for MDI workload.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

There is currently a deficit in the literature as no studies on workload have been performed examining the 

acceptable caseloads for medicolegal death investigators in medical examiner and coroner offices. There is, 

however, a large body of research on workloads in other professions. An example of this would be studies 

examining nursing professionals.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Evaluating scene investigation caseload for medicolegal death investigators, and their perceptions of the scene 

investigation caseload’s effects on a proper medicolegal investigation.

The laboratory in which medicolegal death investigators work is that of a medical examiner/coroner office. 

Their work in the field plays an integral role in evaluating the available information of the death scene, as well as 

thorough follow-up work to help certify the cause and manner of death of individuals that fall under their 

jurisdiction. Proper certification of decedents’ deaths is an imperative function of both public health and safety.
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 2

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

There is currently no data to support standards associated with medicolegal professionals. This study would fill 

that gap by not only evaluating office-based factors, but the professionals’ views on their workplace and 

workload.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Medicolegal death investigators perform parallel, yet separate, investigations as law enforcement when a death 

has occurred. The investigation by medicolegal death investigators, and the eventual certification of death by the 

forensic pathologist, are an essential function that law enforcement agencies utilize in their evaluation of 

whether or not a crime has been committed.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): I

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.