Coroner’s Office Achieves Prestigious IACME Accreditation

The Crawford County Coroner’s Office has officially achieved accreditation from the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME), becoming the only accredited coroner’s office in the state of Missouri. 

This distinction places Crawford County among just 45 coroner or medical examiner offices worldwide to hold IACME accreditation.

The process included a multi-week pre-inspection and policy review, followed by an onsite inspection to ensure the office meets the highest investigative standards. Accreditation ensures that all death investigations adhere to the guidelines set by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Department of Justice (DOJ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), among others.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our staff,” Coroner Darren Dake said in a press release. “Over the past four years, they have adapted and made necessary changes to meet these rigorous standards. While accreditation is not necessarily hard, it requires a commitment to excellence and the refusal to take shortcuts.”

Crawford County’s accreditation now places it alongside only one other accredited facility in Missouri, the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office in Kansas City. 

However, Crawford County remains the only coroner’s office in the state to hold this status.

Special acknowledgment was given to the Crawford County Commission and Sheriff Darin Layman for their support. 

Dake noted that many counties in Missouri lack similar backing, making this achievement even more significant.

“Accreditation is not a one-time designation but an ongoing commitment, with continued policy reviews and site inspections to ensure compliance with the highest investigative standards,” Dake said.