Explore groundbreaking advancements and network with leading professionals in the field at our annual conference.

The June 2025 Conference

Hosted by the Wisconsin Coroners and Medical Examiners Association (WCMEA) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a pivotal three-day event from June 23 to June 25, designed to advance the expertise of coroners, medical examiners, and forensic professionals. This annual gathering brings together experts, investigators, and practitioners to explore cutting-edge topics in medicolegal death investigation, forensic science, and public health. With a robust lineup of presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference fosters collaboration and professional development, addressing both practical and emerging challenges in the field.

Monday, June 23 kicks off with registration and a sponsored breakfast, setting the stage for a full day of learning. The conference opens with a welcome from Dana Crosson of Visit Eau Claire and a WCMEA Board representative, followed by a series of specialized sessions. Dr. Adam Covach, Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner, delivers a primer on signing death certificates, providing critical guidance for accurate documentation. Dr. Robert Corliss from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health shares insights on delivering expert testimony, offering tips for coroners and medical examiners navigating legal proceedings. Dr. Covach returns to discuss the implications of Smith v. Arizona, a landmark case impacting forensic practices. The morning concludes with Erin Halpin, RN and Organ Procurement Coordinator at UW Organ & Tissue, addressing the role of organ donation in medicolegal contexts. After a sponsored lunch, Gene Meyer, CN Special Agent in Charge, explores railroad investigation and safety, a niche but vital area for death investigators. The day wraps with Lindsey Vosters, Forensic Scientist at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, presenting trends in forensic toxicology, highlighting evolving substances and detection methods.

Tuesday, June 24 begins with another sponsored breakfast and ballot distribution for the WCMEA’s annual membership meeting. A morning briefing by a WCMEA Board member precedes a session on tissue and eye donations, led by Nick Waite, Lori Shinstine, and Jennifer Schroeter from leading organ and tissue banks. Genevieve Penn, a retired forensic investigator, shares strategies for locating next of kin, a persistent challenge in death investigations. Dr. Janamarie Truesdell, a forensic anthropologist from UW-Platteville, delves into the role of anthropology in identifying remains. The afternoon features a comprehensive two-part session on leveraging data to enhance medicolegal death investigation standards, presented by Daniel Chaput, Alfarena McGinty, Melanie Rouse, and Michelle Rippey. This session emphasizes data-driven approaches to improve accuracy and efficiency in investigations, with a break to facilitate discussion and reflection.

Wednesday, June 25 starts with a final sponsored breakfast and a morning briefing. Dr. Gabe LeGros and Dr. Jordan Karsten from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab’s WiscIR Team discuss how their expertise in forensic odontology and anthropology aids death investigations. The conference concludes with a compelling presentation by Patrice Hall and Cornelia Perry, detailing the resolution of a 1993 John Doe case through persistent investigation and collaboration with NamUs, underscoring the importance of identification efforts.

With breaks, sponsored meals, and the annual membership meeting fostering camaraderie, the June 2025 Conference equips attendees with practical knowledge, innovative tools, and renewed inspiration to advance medicolegal death investigation standards.

Secure your spot at the Wisconsin CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS Association Conference 2025. Fill out the online registration form to confirm your attendance and join us for this pivotal event.

Prepare for the upcoming June 2025 Conference by downloading our printable registration form. This form allows you to conveniently register for the event, ensuring a seamless experience. Simply fill out the necessary details and submit it as instructed to secure your spot at this important gathering.

The WCMEA 2024 Conference

Hosted by the Wisconsin Coroners and Medical Examiners Association (WCMEA) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a pivotal three-day event from June 23 to June 25, designed to advance the expertise of coroners, medical examiners, and forensic professionals. This annual gathering brings together experts, investigators, and practitioners to explore cutting-edge topics in medicolegal death investigation, forensic science, and public health. With a robust lineup of presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference fosters collaboration and professional development, addressing both practical and emerging challenges in the field.

Monday, June 23 kicks off with registration and a sponsored breakfast, setting the stage for a full day of learning. The conference opens with a welcome from Dana Crosson of Visit Eau Claire and a WCMEA Board representative, followed by a series of specialized sessions. Dr. Adam Covach, Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner, delivers a primer on signing death certificates, providing critical guidance for accurate documentation. Dr. Robert Corliss from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health shares insights on delivering expert testimony, offering tips for coroners and medical examiners navigating legal proceedings. Dr. Covach returns to discuss the implications of Smith v. Arizona, a landmark case impacting forensic practices. The morning concludes with Erin Halpin, RN and Organ Procurement Coordinator at UW Organ & Tissue, addressing the role of organ donation in medicolegal contexts. After a sponsored lunch, Gene Meyer, CN Special Agent in Charge, explores railroad investigation and safety, a niche but vital area for death investigators. The day wraps with Lindsey Vosters, Forensic Scientist at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, presenting trends in forensic toxicology, highlighting evolving substances and detection methods.

Tuesday, June 24 begins with another sponsored breakfast and ballot distribution for the WCMEA’s annual membership meeting. A morning briefing by a WCMEA Board member precedes a session on tissue and eye donations, led by Nick Waite, Lori Shinstine, and Jennifer Schroeter from leading organ and tissue banks. Genevieve Penn, a retired forensic investigator, shares strategies for locating next of kin, a persistent challenge in death investigations. Dr. Janamarie Truesdell, a forensic anthropologist from UW-Platteville, delves into the role of anthropology in identifying remains. The afternoon features a comprehensive two-part session on leveraging data to enhance medicolegal death investigation standards, presented by Daniel Chaput, Alfarena McGinty, Melanie Rouse, and Michelle Rippey. This session emphasizes data-driven approaches to improve accuracy and efficiency in investigations, with a break to facilitate discussion and reflection.

Wednesday, June 25 starts with a final sponsored breakfast and a morning briefing. Dr. Gabe LeGros and Dr. Jordan Karsten from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab’s WiscIR Team discuss how their expertise in forensic odontology and anthropology aids death investigations. The conference concludes with a compelling presentation by Patrice Hall and Cornelia Perry, detailing the resolution of a 1993 John Doe case through persistent investigation and collaboration with NamUs, underscoring the importance of identification efforts.

With breaks, sponsored meals, and the annual membership meeting fostering camaraderie, the June 2025 Conference equips attendees with practical knowledge, innovative tools, and renewed inspiration to advance medicolegal death investigation standards.

Medicolegal Death Investigator Course

Death Investigation Online Academy is designed for both entry-level students and working professionals. We give you the training you need to work death investigations properly. This course is perfect for Coroners, Medical Examiner Investigators, Police, and entry-level students. This hybrid course looks at death investigation from a combined perspective of law enforcement and medicolegal death investigations.

Register online to secure your spot at the DITACADEMY training sessions this June.

Vendors can register here to showcase their products and services at our June conference.