The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center was awarded a grant for $53,878 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.

The grant was awarded under the Strengthening the Medical-Examiner Coroner System Program, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio stated in a recent news release.

The office has already earned a certificate of accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners.

Continuing, with a strive for excellence, this awarded grant will help assist and provide an additional professional accreditation through the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Obtaining NAME accreditation would represent a “seal of approval” from a community consisting of medical examiners, forensic pathologists and medico-legal partners across the nation; indicating the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center upholds death investigation standards that are of the highest level.

This benefits not only the relationships with the forensic pathology physicians and law enforcement organizations they work with on a daily basis, but most importantly for the families they serve.

The primary purpose of achieving NAME accreditation is to place the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center at the forefront of death investigation practices in the commonwealth, as a model of excellence for the rest of the offices in Pennsylvania. Emulating the consistent, professional standards set forth by NAME, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic center will be a leader for other offices in the commonwealth, helping identify strengths and weaknesses and leading to more thorough and consistent death investigations.

“I can’t be any prouder of my staff and leadership team,” Buglio stated.

According to Buglio, Chief Deputy Coroner Richard Pender worked endlessly on this grant application and process, so being awarded the funds is a proud moment and a testament to Pender’s hard work and dedication.

Buglio has been with the coroner’s office for more than 24 years. Since April 2022, Buglio’s office has secured more than $210,000 in grant funding.