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Washoe medical examiner office earns NAM accreditation; family members criticize past in-custody death rulings
Summary
The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office received national accreditation and a perfect inspection score; family members of people who died in custody used a public comment period to accuse the office and sheriff's department of relying on "excited delirium" and to demand independent review.
The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office received accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and a certificate recognizing the office's inspection and performance, county officials said Sept. 16.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Laura Knight told commissioners the office is one of only 82 medical-examiner and coroner offices in the United States accredited by NAME, representing about 4% of such offices nationwide. She said the inspection covered 352 detailed criteria, including facility, quality assurance, reporting and administration, and that the office received "no deficiencies of any type" and a perfect score during the July inspection.
"Accreditation is an honor and significant achievement for an office signifying to the public that the office is performing at a high level of competence and public service," Knight said, and she acknowledged staff and predecessor leadership as central to achieving accreditation.
The recognition prompted applause, a certificate presentation and a motion by the Commission to adopt a proclamation designating the week as National Forensic Science Week; the proclamation passed unanimously.
During public comment on the same item, several family members of people who died in Washoe County custody criticized the medical examiner's office and the sheriff's office for use of the term "excited delirium" in autopsy or death determinations. Anne Marie Grant and Brian Grant said their family members died in custody, alleged that the medical examiner used "excited delirium" to excuse deputies' conduct and called for an independent review of the office's handling of in-custody deaths.
"My brother Thomas Purdy was murdered inside the Washoe County Jail in 02/2015. He was hogtied, suffocated," Anne Marie Grant said during public comment and urged the commission to open an independent review. Brian Grant, who identified himself as the nephew of Thomas Purdy, also urged accountability and said he believed the county had repeatedly failed families.
Commissioners heard both the accreditation news and the family's calls for review on the same day. No formal investigative action by the commission was taken at the meeting; commissioners voted to adopt the National Forensic Science Week proclamation and asked for no immediate administrative changes to the medical examiner office.
The meeting record shows the medical examiner office has requested and received county support to maintain facilities and leadership to sustain operations. Families seeking an independent review indicated they will pursue accountability through public and legal channels if they do not receive further responses.
