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ACFEI Articles The Certified Medical Investigator Program Publisher: Robert O'Block - Date: 1/31/05 According to Robert O'Block, Founder and CEO of the American College of Forensic Examiners, the world's largest forensic membership association, there is a glaring need to educate everyone in the forensic specialities with a base of knowledge that prepares them for the intricacies of the legal process that follow identifying and securing a piece of evidence. Evidence that cannot be properly entered into and presented in court may seriously and adversely alter the course of justice. For these reasons Dr. O'Block developed the Certified Medical Investigator, CMI program in 2002. The program has since become the model for education and training in medical investigation and is of value to physicians, dentists, nurses, law enforcement officers, coroners, medical examiners, pathologists, medical investigators, crime scene investigators, forensic scientists, crime lab technicians, toxicologists, epidemiologists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists and others involved in medically related forensic investigation. O'Block states that the objectives of the program are to teach forensic professionals to conduct superior independent medical investigations; to identify and gather evidence while protecting the forensic scene; to interpret relevant case law, reports, analyses and evidence, and to write comprehensive, accurate, unbiased reports; to provide credible, defensible testimony in a court of law; to develop critical thinking skills crucial to forensic investigation; and to understand foundational anatomy and physiology, a skill-base crucial to medical investigation. Dr. O'Block notes that the preferred method of becoming a Certified Medical Investigator, CMI is to attend a Certified Medical Investigator Training Course. These exciting two day events are offered at ACFEI conferences at various locations across the country. CMI examinations are offered on-site at the conclusion of the CMI Training Course. CMI Training Courses have been offered in Orlando, Phoenix, New York, New Orleans, Atlanta and Chicago. The next offering will be in San Diego, September 30-October 1, 2005 at ACFEI's 2005 National Conference. The courses are taught by world renowned instructors such as Dr. Cyril Wecht. One of the most identifiable names in forensic pathology, Dr. Wecht is known for his professional involvement in such noteworthy cases as the assasinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the deaths of Elvis Presley and JonBenet Ramsey; and cases involving Mary Jo Kopechne, Sunny Von Bulow, Jean Harris, Dr. Jeffrey McDonald and others. Robert O'Block mentions that a proctored examination option to become certified is also available to those who have the requisite education/experience/knowledge. The instructors for the Certified Medical Training Course in San Diego will be Dr. Michael Karagiozis and Richard Sgaglio. Karagiozis, D.O., M.B.A., CMI-V, has extensive medicolegal experience, having worked with the Nevada Office of the Attorney General from 1991 through 1998 defending the State of Nevada against a broad range of legal claims involving medical issues. He currently has a private practice performing medicolegal reviews and providing expert testimony for both plaintiff and defense counsels. He has academic appointments at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Health Ssciences and the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Karagiozis speaks nationally on a variety of medical issues and makes weekly television appearances as a medical liason for a morning news show. Sgaglio, M.A., is a professional with both medical administration and hands-on experience. Karagiozis and Sgaglio have recently co-authored a new textbook Forensic Investigation Handbook: An Introduction to the Collection, Preservation, Analysis and Presentation of Evidence. Published by Charles C. Thomas Publisher, LTD, the book is scheduled for a February, 2005 release. It serves as the official textbook of the ACFEI Certified Medical Investigator program. The book is being heralded as one of the most comprehensive forensic science texts available today. It includes chapters on forensic science, the American judicial system, criminal law and the forensic investigator, the forensic expert, evidence, forensic investigation, forensic photography, death and the forensic specialist, criminal profiling, death scene investigation, socioeconomic impact of drugs and alcohol and hazards for the forensic investigator. The book also includes a comprehensive glossary of more than 600 pertinent forensic terms with definitions. To find out more about the Certified Medical Investigator program, including detailed information about the program, requirements and application brochures, call toll free (800) 423-9737 or e-mail cmi@acfei.com. This Article is brought to you by
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