National Resources

Trusted tools for every stage of the work.

A curated library of national resources, standards, and practical guides — spanning death certification, national agencies and data systems, and specialized programs that support medicolegal death investigation.

Death Certification

Practical guidance for accurate cause- and manner-of-death certification.

Cause of Death and the Death Certificate

CAP & NAME

Practical guidance on death certification, cause-of-death reporting, and manner-of-death classification, with real-world examples and best practices — developed by the College of American Pathologists and the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Guide for Manner of Death Classifications

NAME

NAME's reference for evaluating and certifying manner of death, with guiding principles and case scenarios.

Physician's Handbook on Medical Certification of Death

CDC

CDC guidance for completing death certificates and documenting cause and manner of death — including certification examples, common pitfalls, and best practices.

National Agencies & Data Systems

The agencies, laws, and datasets that frame medicolegal death investigation nationwide.

Coroner & Medical Examiner Laws

CDC Public Health Law Program

A state-by-state overview of medicolegal death investigation systems and laws.

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)

National data on criminal justice, forensic laboratories, and death investigation systems.

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)

Supports public safety through grant funding and training — including death investigation systems, forensic labs, and responder wellness programs.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

Supports research, technology development, and forensic science initiatives.

CDC COMEC

Collaborating Office for Medical Examiners and Coroners

Resources and guidance for medicolegal death investigators.

Forensics TTA Program

RTI International

Webinars, peer learning, policy guidance, and operational assistance.

National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) — Mortality

CDC

Death certificate data tracking mortality trends and causes of death.

National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)

CDC

Detailed information on violent deaths, including suicides and homicides.

CDC WONDER

CDC

Public access to mortality and public health datasets from U.S. death certificates.

NamUs

NIJ

National database for identifying missing and unidentified persons — supporting law enforcement and medicolegal death investigation.

Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE)

A nonprofit advancing forensic science through research and education.

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC)

Administered by NIST

Develops standards and best practices for forensic disciplines.

Specialized Resources

Targeted programs supporting specific aspects of death investigation and prevention.

DOD Brain Tissue Repository

Brain Injury Research Foundation

Coordinates brain tissue donation supporting traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease research.

PDMP Assist

Training and technical assistance for Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs — supporting safer prescribing and overdose prevention.

Suicide Fatality Review (SFR)

Institute for Intergovernmental Research

A multidisciplinary process examining suicide deaths to identify prevention gaps, emphasizing collaboration and data-driven recommendations.

North American SUDEP Registry

Advances understanding of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy — working with families, clinicians, medical examiners, and coroners on recognition and reporting.

Expanding Soon

Professional Organizations

Coming soon

Legislative & Policy Resources

Coming soon

Wellness & Responder Support

Coming soon

Resources are provided for informational and educational purposes. Guidance and standards vary by jurisdiction — always confirm requirements with your governing authority.