The Opioid Epidemic: An Update from the Coroner/ME Perspective, Part 1

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Between 2016 and 2017, overdose deaths increased from 63,632 to 70,237. Of these, 47,600 overdose deaths involved opioids. In 2017, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia were the top five states with the highest rate of drug overdose deaths.

This presentation provided an overview of the opioid epidemic from the medical examiner and coroner perspective. Attendees learned about the current state of forensic pathology in the United States, as well as the history, production, metabolism, and pharmacology of heroin. Additionally, the subject matter expert shared a review of heroin overdose signs, autopsy and scene findings, and considerations for forensic toxicology.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in July 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17_31DU9egc

Medicolegal Death Investigation: Donation 101, Part 2

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Locating and notifying the next of kin is an important part of medicolegal death investigation. This presentation provided examples of resources at the scene and online to assist medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) with identifying the decedent’s next of kin. Some of these resources include talking to witnesses, searching cell phone information, social media accounts, public records, and criminal databases. Additionally, Namus was discussed as a resource if a next of kin cannot be identified.

Subject matter experts presented steps and tips in making the notification to the next of kin, following by a discussion about post notification trauma. Afterwards, information about donation and tissue recovery was shared, followed by an explanation of the screening process and how information gatherers can assist the MDIs by sharing cross-collected information. Examples of cross-collected information include medical record review, testing and diagnostics, microbiology, and histology.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in July 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRdw99WCCL4

Medicolegal Death Investigation: Donation 101, Part 1

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Locating and notifying the next of kin is an important part of medicolegal death investigation. This presentation provided examples of resources at the scene and online to assist medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) with identifying the decedent’s next of kin. Some of these resources include talking to witnesses, searching cell phone information, social media accounts, public records, and criminal databases. Additionally, Namus was discussed as a resource if a next of kin cannot be identified.

Subject matter experts presented steps and tips in making the notification to the next of kin, following by a discussion about post notification trauma. Afterwards, information about donation and tissue recovery was shared, followed by an explanation of the screening process and how information gatherers can assist the MDIs by sharing cross-collected information. Examples of cross-collected information include medical record review, testing and diagnostics, microbiology, and histology.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in July 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKpOCDswljs

Medicolegal Death Investigation: Locating and Notifying Next of Kin, Part 2

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Locating and notifying the next of kin is an important part of medicolegal death investigation. This presentation provided examples of resources at the scene and online to assist medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) with identifying the decedent’s next of kin. Some of these resources include talking to witnesses, searching cell phone information, social media accounts, public records, and criminal databases. Additionally, Namus was discussed as a resource if a next of kin cannot be identified.

Subject matter experts presented steps and tips in making the notification to the next of kin, following by a discussion about post notification trauma. Afterwards, information about donation and tissue recovery was shared, followed by an explanation of the screening process and how information gatherers can assist the MDIs by sharing cross-collected information. Examples of cross-collected information include medical record review, testing and diagnostics, microbiology, and histology.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in July 2019.
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4F2AkVG5T4

Medicolegal Death Investigation: Locating and Notifying Next of Kin, Part 1

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

Locating and notifying the next of kin is an important part of medicolegal death investigation. This presentation provided examples of resources at the scene and online to assist medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) with identifying the decedent’s next of kin. Some of these resources include talking to witnesses, searching cell phone information, social media accounts, public records, and criminal databases. Additionally, Namus was discussed as a resource if a next of kin cannot be identified.

Subject matter experts presented steps and tips in making the notification to the next of kin, following by a discussion about post notification trauma. Afterwards, information about donation and tissue recovery was shared, followed by an explanation of the screening process and how information gatherers can assist the MDIs by sharing cross-collected information. Examples of cross-collected information include medical record review, testing and diagnostics, microbiology, and histology.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence in July 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z83_rMLYnKY

Isotopes Aiding Identification of Undocumented Border Crosser Human Remains

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This webinar highlights the theory and methods of isotopic analysis to explain how it can be used to assist in the identification of human remains for undocumented border crossers who do not survive the journey between Mexico and the United States.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 6, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnxQxw4oPiI

Agrihoods Explained: Rethinking How We Build Communities | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Urban planners in Brazil are at the forefront of a bold design revolution that could redefine how cities tackle climate change. One of the most promising ideas is the “agrihood” — a residential community built around a working farm, blending sustainable food production with low-carbon urban living.
As cities expand and emissions rise, agrihoods offer a powerful alternative to traditional development by reducing carbon footprints, strengthening local food systems, and reconnecting people with nature.

This innovation comes at a critical moment. According to the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) latest State of Finance for Nature report, global investments that damage the planet outweigh nature-positive solutions by 30 to 1. Despite their potential, climate-friendly models like agrihoods remain vastly underfunded.

Could Brazil’s urban experiments point the way toward a more sustainable future for cities worldwide?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDleB6p9CgQ

Building Forensic Capacity Post-Conflict: Lessons from Uganda

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This presentation introduces research conducted in Uganda at the nexus of forensic science and transitional justice, highlighting a large-scale forensic investigation and human identification capacity-building workshop for Ugandan stakeholders.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 28, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwLAgzcz_H0

Stable Isotope Forensics and Unknown Persons Investigations

Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

This webinar will introduce stable isotope analysis and its validity as analytical tool in establishing the geographic origin and life history of unidentified individuals from forensic and humanitarian contexts.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on March 12, 2019.

(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZar0JwFeU

UK 🔴 PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister’s Questions – 4 February 2026

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/HIaUJ19iTwM

Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.

In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.

The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.

Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:

X: https://www.x.com/HouseofCommons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukhouseofcommons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7n_31yZ0Xk