Critical Issues in Certification of Drug Caused and Related Deaths – 2025 Updates
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), in collaboration with the National Network of Public Health Institute (NNPHI) and the Public Health Institute (PHI), is pleased to announce a new symposium series focusing attention on improvements to accuracy and consistency in recording cause and manner of death in drug toxicity cases. We invite medicolegal death investigation professionals to a free, CME and CE eligible ten-part series focusing on the latest challenges and best practices in the investigation and certification of these often-complex cases. This is the latest in a multi-year program to share best practices, expand our understanding of these deaths, reach new audiences, and stay current with the continuing drug overdose crisis in the U.S.
Emerging factors driving current patterns in drug overdose mortality include the complex and variable supply of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and the development and proliferation of other drug classes including novel benzodiazepines, cathinone stimulants, hallucinogens, and adulterants such as xylazine, medetomidine, and various other novel synthetic opioids.
Presentations in this series feature panels of complementary perspectives on key topics from recognized experts in forensic pathology, medicolegal death investigation and toxicology, as well as adjacent fields such as epidemiology, public health, and medical toxicology. Consistent with prior series, the focus is on understanding the most appropriate ways to recognize, identify, and document drug involvement when conducting death investigations, and ensure consistent certification and reporting of these cases to maintain an accurate picture of drug involved deaths in the United States.