The Lehigh County Coroners Office and Forensic Center received a $53,878 grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The grant was awarded under the Strengthening The Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program.

The office has already earned its certificate of accreditation from The International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners.

The grant will help assist and provide an additional professional accreditation through The National Association of Medical Examiners.

Obtaining Medical Examiners accreditation would represent a “seal of approval” from a community consisting of medical examiners, forensic pathologists and medico-legal partners across the nation; indicating that the Lehigh County Coroners’ Office & Forensic Center upholds death investigation standards that are of the highest level.

The primary purpose of achieving accreditation is to place the Lehigh Valley Coroners’ Office & Forensic Center at the forefront of death investigation practices in the Commonwealth; not only for the families we personally serve, but also as a model of excellence for the rest of the offices in the Commonwealth.

“I can’t be any more proud of my staff and leadership team said Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio.

According to Buglio, Chief Deputy Coroner Richard Pender worked endlessly on this grant application and process.

“Being awarded this moneys is a proud moment for Rick’s hard work and dedication,” Buglio said.

Buglio has been with the coroners’ office for over 24 years, however since April 2022, as coroner, Buglio’s office has secured over $210,000 in grant funding.