Grant will help update Cook County Medical Examiner’s office

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a $175,000 grant to Cook County to help modernize the computer software system at the medical examiner’s office.

Cook County was among 170 applicants competing for the award from the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, which seeks to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services.

“We made a commitment to institute reforms at the ME’s office, and this accomplishment is another milestone toward our goals,” President Toni Preckwinkle said in a news release. “The grant will enable us to purchase a much needed electronic data management system. The upgrade will be the first in a series of technological improvements we’re making that will enhance efficiency and organization at the office. We’re grateful to the Justice Department for helping us begin the modernization process during a tight fiscal year.”

The technological upgrades, along with other improvements, will be implemented and overseen by newly-appointed chief medical examiner, Stephen Cina, who takes the helm Sept. 10, and executive director Daryl Jackson, appointed in late July.

“Securing electronic records software will bring the medical examiner’s office in line with best practices across the country, and I expect it to improve efficiencies,” Cina said in the release.

The new electronic records software system will enable the office to record, manage and retrieve vital data efficiently. Currently, the staff maintains records in paper logbooks and in an outdated computer data management system developed in the mid-1980s. With the new system, paper files and records will no longer be required and all case information will be stored in a central repository.