Public Affairs

If you are a member of the media, please contact:

OCME Public Affairs Office
212-447-2041
PublicAffairs@ocme.nyc.gov

For general assistance, please contact:
212-447-2030

2018

OCME Identifies 9/11 Victim

July 25, 2018
Keeping Its Promise to Families, New York Identifies Another 9/11 Victim
NYC OCME continues to make new identifications using cutting edge DNA technology
Learn more about the OCME Forensic Biology identification work

NYC's DNA crime lab can analyze anything we touch

April 30,2018
Cutting edge science that helps us extract DNA from very tiny pieces of evidence coming from muggings to mass fatality incidents
To learn more about the DNA lab

The Woman in the Iron Coffin

October 3, 2018
Uncover the story of early America's free black communities via the remains of a woman from 19th century Queens.
Learn more about The Woman in the Iron Coffin

2017

NYC OCME sends experts to assist Las Vegas Coroner's Office with Mass shooting incident

October 3, 2017
Learn more about the mass shooting incident

Grenfell Tower fire: Investigators bring in 9/11 experts

July 20, 2017
Learn more about the Grenfell Tower Fire

OCME Marks Graduation of Forensic Pathology Fellows

June 22, 2017
Five new graduates will work at the intersection of medicine and law to help address some of the nation's most pressing public health challenges.
Learn more about these graduates

OCME Behind the Scenes; an exclusive look

June 22, 2017
The OCME Special Operations Team doing the work for the living with intense training aimed at saving lives
Learn more about the Special Operations Team

OCME to Host New York City Missing Persons Day on Saturday, May 20, 2017

April 6, 2017
Now in its third year, New York City Missing Persons Day has served hundreds of families, and is credited with leading to eight identifications of missing persons nationwide since its launch in 2014.
Learn more Missing Persons Day 2017

OCME Experts to Present on Current Topics in Forensic Science at the AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting

February 13, 2017
The OCME delegation of more than 20 professionals includes some 13 experts who will deliver presentations from areas including forensic toxicology, forensic dentistry, forensic biology and DNA, and forensic pathology.
Learn more about the OCME delegation

New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson Appointed as Trustee of the American Board of Pathology

January 30, 2017
In her additional role, Dr. Sampson will help set the standards that guide the work of certified practicing pathologists and forensic pathologists in the United States.
Learn more about Dr. Sampson's appointment

OCME Forensic Scientist Appointed to New York State Commission on Forensic Science

January 6, 2017
Lydia de Castro, a veteran forensic scientist at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), whose experience includes the DNA identification of World Trade Center and American Airlines Flight 587 victims, and the forensic investigation of sexual assaults, has been appointed to the New York State Commission on Forensic Science.
Learn more about this appointment

2016

OCME Celebrates National Forensic Science Week with Focus on Education

August 9, 2016
For the first time ever, OCME invites high school students to attend a special presentation on August 9 featuring a variety of experts in forensic science.
Learn more about National Forensic Science Week

OCME Celebrates Graduation of 100 Forensic Pathology Fellows

June 30, 2016
The Forensic Pathology Fellows Training Program at OCME has trained 100 forensic pathologists sinces 1990, with graduates of the program accounting for one-fifth of the board-certified forensic pathologists in the United States.
Learn more about the Forensic Pathology Fellows

OCME's Maxine Smith Honored with Excellence in Customer Service Award

May 10, 2016
Maxine Smith, a veteran OCME employee who serves as lead supervisor in the Communications Unit, received the award at a special ceremony hosted by the New York City Mayor's Office on May 10, 2016.
Learn more about Maxine Smith

OCME Hosts NYC Missing Persons Day to Help Families Identify Loved Ones

April 16, 2016
Dozens attended the second year of the event, which is credited with helping to identify seven missing persons in the New York metropolitan region since its launch in November 2014.
Learn more about Missing Persons Day 2016

OCME Remembers Dr. Charles Hirsch

April 8, 2016
The longtime Chief Medical Examiner, who elevated OCME to a position of national excellence in forensic pathology, died on April 8 at the age of 79.
Learn more about Dr. Charles Hirsch

OCME Experts Attend AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting

February 19, 2016
A distinguished group of 20 experts from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) will attend the 68th annual scientific meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) being held from February 22 to February 27, 2016. The group includes 11 experts scheduled to deliver presentations on topics across the forensic science disciplines, and the OCME Deputy Director of Forensic Biology, who will be honored with an award for outstanding service.
Learn more about the 2016 AAFS Annual Scientific Meeting

2015

OCME DNA Laboratory Receives Perfect Score as International Accreditation Renewed

December 4, 2015
The Forensic Biology Department received a perfect score on the assessment to renew the international accreditation of its DNA laboratory for an additional four years, marking the first time the lab has ever achieved a 100 percent rating.
Learn more about this achievement

OCME Hosts Vice President Biden, Attorney General Lynch, and Manhattan DA Vance for Special Announcement on Ending the Rape Kit Backlog Nationwide

September 10, 2015
OCME welcomed Vice President Joe Biden, United States Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, and Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance, Jr. on September 10 for a special announcement about new funding to eliminate the national backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits. OCME helped to eliminate the backlog in New York City in 2003 through DNA testing.
Learn more about this announcement

OCME Celebrates National Forensic Science Week 2015

August 7, 2015
The event being celebrated from August 8 to 15 recognizes the role that proper forensic science plays in the investigation of crimes and salutes the professionals who help provide these services. 
Learn more National Forensic Science Week 2015

2014

New York City Missing Persons Day 2014

November 10, 2014
OCME hosted the first-ever New York City Missing Persons Day on Saturday, November 8, 2014, to connect families with resources to help identify and find their long-term missing loved ones. Nearly 100 family members in attendance had the opportunity to interview with professionals and provide information to aid in identification. Volunteers were also on hand to provide emotional and spiritual support services. 
Learn more about National Missings Persons Day 2014

2013

Quebec brings in 9/11 expert to help sift through train crash debris

July 17, 2013
Learn more about the train crash

NYC OCME assists the Centers for Disease Control with developing training and Guidelines for Handling Decedents Contaminated with Radioactive Materials

2013
Read Guidance from the CDC
Access Video Training

Information on Ebola

Ebola is a severe, often fatal disease that affects humans and some animals (monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees). It is caused by the Ebola virus. It was first discovered in 1976 in Africa, near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Learn more about Ebola