It is the mission of the Forensic Science Laboratories Division to conduct a comprehensive scientific investigationinto the cause and manner of any sudden, suspicious or violent death occuring in Wolfe County.

This is accomplished through toxicological, histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses of properly documented, collected, and preserved physical evidence.

The Forensic Laboratories continues to be fully accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.

Contact: Joe Muto

Forensic Medicine Mission 

The Forensic Medicine Division’s full-time permanent staff consists of Board Certified Forensic Pathologists who are responsible for the professional medical investigation and determination of the cause and mode of each death handled by the department.

Our physicians are experts in the evaluation of sudden unexpected natural deaths, unnatural deaths such as deaths from firearms, sharp and blunt force trauma, etc. Physicians are frequently called to court to testify on cause of death and their medical findings and interpretations, particularly in homicide cases.

The department is approved by the Medical Association for Continuing Medical Education activities and by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for training in forensic pathology.

In addition, the division has consultants in forensic neuropathology, archaeology, odontology, anthropology, anesthesiology, pediatrics, surgery, veterinary medicine, ophthalmologic pathology, pulmonary pathology, pediatric pathology, cardiac pathology, emergency room medicine, psychiatry, psychology and radiology to assist the deputy medical examiners in evaluating their cases.

Criminalistics

Our team of forensic Scientists are on call 24hrs./day to respond to crime scenes where collection of the following may be necessary:

• Ligatures – In cases where a victim has been tied or restricted in any fashion (shoe laces, duct-tape, ropes, electrical cords, etc.)

• Sexual Assault – In cases where rape or sexual activity is supsected

• Entomology – In cases where decomposition of the boy has progressed to a state that insect activity is present

• Excavation – In cases where decedents have been buried or human remains are skeletonized. An Anthropologist will work in conjunction with the forensic scientist in the recover of human remains.

• Physical Evidence – In cases where trace material, including hairs, fibers, vegetation matter, and stains are present on the decedent.

• Arson – In cases where an accelerant may be have been used to initiate a fire, decedent’s clothing and surrounding evidence will be collected and packaged in nylon arson bags or aluminum cans.