Utility of a Grief Services Program for Medical Examiners' Offices

• NCJ Number: 246049
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2013 Pages: 380-384
• Author(s): Ryan S. Berry, B.S.; Michelle B. Aurelius, M.D.; Nancy Barickman, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.; Sarah L. Lathrop, D.V.M., Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2013
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The researchers investigated a grief services program (GSP) at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator OMI to better understand the needs of bereaved individuals, identify the services provided, and propose the findings as a model for others.

Abstract

Medical examiner/coroner's ME/C offices investigate sudden, violent, and unexpected deaths, leaving those close to the deceased suffering traumatic loss with little in terms of support and counseling. The researchers investigated a grief services program (GSP) at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator OMI to better understand the needs of bereaved individuals, identify the services provided, and propose the findings as a model for others. A total of 1,085 contacts occurred over 1 year, with the majority occurring at OMI 60.5 percent, followed by telephone 23.1 percent. Support was primarily provided to those suffering a loss due to homicide 28.8 percent and suicide 26.1 percent. The roles grief counselors play in the setting of a GSP and ME/C office are multiple. Given the frequent utilization of OMI's GSP and diverse reasons for visits, it is apparent there is a need for GSPs at ME/C offices, particularly given the traumatic nature of deaths investigated by ME/Cs. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.