County Recognizes Forensic Science Week, Receives Reaccreditation

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Forensic Science Week, September 15-21, recognizes the important work that forensic science plays in the criminal justice system. It is one way to praise the scientific and technical professionals who serve Sedgwick County and partnering agencies. 

All of their work is performed at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center, a full-service, state-of-the-art facility housing the office of the District Coroner and Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL).

The Center has been accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) since 2001 and recently received notice of its continuing full accreditation. The notice includes, “[t]he citizens can be proud of the hard work, dedication, and leadership” at the Regional Forensic Science Center.

In 2018, medical investigators triaged 3,385 deaths. Medical investigators serve as the ‘eyes’ and ‘ears’ of the coroner as they are on duty 24 hours, seven days a week. They may attend the scene of a death when it occurs outside of a hospital setting.

The Forensic Laboratories examined more than 15,000 items of evidence submitted in 3,306 criminal cases.  Last year, 66 percent of fatally injured drivers had alcohol and/or drugs in their system. Methamphetamine-related deaths have steadily increased over the last five years with the highest number of cases on record (115) in 2018. Opioid-related (fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and other) deaths have increased, in 2018 they totaled 148.

Additionally, the Center is one of the first 12 agencies in the U.S. to achieve ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) in the Field of Forensic Science Testing. The certification is granted after thorough evaluation of an organization’s management system and scientific and technical procedures and practices.

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