Coroner Daniel A. Buglio, D-ABMDI has announced the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center has been granted full accreditation status through the National Association of Medical Examiners effective May 2024 through May 2028.

The accreditation process consists of a rigorous inspection of the forensic center and review of the office practices, including the implementation of policies and procedures.

NAME accreditation signifies that the highest quality death investigation system has been attained and inspires public confidence that the best practices are in place and being followed.

Under Buglio’s leadership, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center is the first coroner’s office in the Commonwealth to achieve such an honor and the third coroner’s office in the country to be accredited by both NAME and the International Association of Coroner’s and Medical Examiners.

According to Buglio, obtaining NAME accreditation represents a “seal of approval” from a community consisting of medical examiners, forensic pathologists and medicolegal partners across the nation; indicating that the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center upholds death investigation standards that are benefiting not only our relationships with our forensic pathology physicians, medical professionals and law enforcement agencies we work with on a daily basis, but most importantly for the families that we serve.

“My entire staff have worked together as a team to achieve NAME accreditation,” Buglio said. “I am proud that their compassion, integrity and dedication is being recognized by the NAME organization.

“I will continue to operate the LCCO&FC in a fiscally responsible manner while being innovative, transparent and continuing to move the office in a forward direction.”