The D.C. medical examiner’s office has lost its national accreditation, which will make the prosecution of criminal cases — including homicide — more difficult in the District, according to the Washington Examiner.
The paper said defense attorneys will now more easily be able to attack evidence that comes from the office in court. The loss of accreditation could also keep the agency from moving into a new forensics lab set to open next year.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner lost accreditation because the chief lacks board certification, the Examiner reported. The Office conducts autopsies in homicide cases, in addition to a number of other duties.
