The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center (LCCO&FC) has been awarded a $409,500 grant from the Department of Justice’s Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. Funding will be used to purchase, install and maintain a GE VCT 64-slice PMCT scanner, cover training and software costs, and provide two years of maintenance. The PMCT scanner will enhance the office’s forensic services.
The PMCT scanner will streamline case management and aid in determining the extent of necessary autopsy examinations. It will provide valuable insights into the cause and manner of death, documenting injuries and projectile locations. This technology will also allow the office to honor families’ requests for no internal examination when preferred. The images produced can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency resuscitation efforts.
“Bringing this technology to Lehigh County demonstrates that the coroner’s office is continually moving forward,” said Coroner Dan Buglio, who praised Chief Deputy Coroner Richard Pender for his tireless efforts in securing the grant funding.
The PMCT scanner offers numerous advantages over traditional internal examinations, Buglio’s office said. It eliminates the need for conventional radiographs, preserves forensic findings for further study and serves as a valuable training tool for forensic pathologists.
The LCCO&FC plans to integrate the PMCT scanner into its daily operations, significantly benefiting the forensic services offered to the community.
This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.