Accreditations

• The office has received provisional accreditation by National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and is working toward full accreditation by 2019.
• The toxicology laboratory is accredited by American Board of Forensic Toxicology.

Certifications

• Forensic Pathologists – Board Certified by The American Board of Pathology
• Forensic Odontologists – Board Certified by The American Board of Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Anthropologists – Board Certified by The American Board of Forensic Anthropology
• Chemists – Certified by American Board of Forensic Toxicology
• Histotechs – Certified by American Society of Clinical Pathology
• Medicolegal Death Investigators - Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

History

Medical Examiners

• Dr. Daniel J. Condon – Maricopa County’s first appointed medical examiner; appointed in October 1951 to a part-time position, with salary placed on County Attorney payroll. Dr. Condon served until April 1964.
• Dr. Thomas B. Jarvis – appointed in April 1964, then resigned in June 1964.
• Dr. Daniel J. Condon – appointed for second time in August 1964 and served until January 1969.
• Dr. Thomas B. Jarvis – appointed for second time in October 1969 and served until June 1971.
• Dr. Heinz Karnitschnig – July 1971 to April 1992
• Dr. Philip Keen – Interim from April 1992 to May 1995; permanent from June 1995 to August 2006
• Dr. Mark Fischione –September 2006 to June 2013
• Dr. Jeffrey Johnston – June 2013 to current

Statutory Authority

• A.R.S. Title 11 (Counties), Chapter 3 (County Officers), Article 12 (County Medical Examiner), which includes:
  • A.R.S. §11-592 – County medical examiner; alternate medical examiners; fund; notification
  • A.R.S. §11-593 – Reporting of certain deaths; failure to report; violation; classification
  • A.R.S. §11-594 – Powers and duties of county medical examiner
  • A.R.S. §11-597 – Autopsies; reports; exemption from liability
  • A.R.S. §11-597.01 - Duty to conduct identification meeting; exception; immunity; definitions
  • A.R.S. §11-600 – Burial of indigent deceased; disposal of property
• A.R.S. §36-325 – Death certificate registration; moving human remains; immunity
• A.R.S. §36-860 – County medical examiners; authorization
• A.R.S. §36-861 – Medical examiner; release of information