Maryland Attorney General News Releases: OCME Audit Design Team Holds First Meeting

You are subscribed to News Releases for the Maryland Attorney General. A new press release has been issued.   Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to get our Press Releases in your inbox. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 4, 2022 Media Contacts: press@oag.state.md.us 410-576-7009 OCME Audit Design Team Holds First Meeting BALTIMORE, MD - On January 3, 2022, the Design Team held the first of a series of sessions to develop the process for reviewing in-custody death determinations made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) during the tenure of Dr. David Fowler.  The purpose of the review will be to establish whether those cause and manner of death determinations were influenced by bias connected with the involvement of law enforcement and/or the race of the decedent. Design Team members were selected for the unique and valuable scientific expertise they will contribute to the strength of the design - from forensic pathology to epidemiology to cognitive neuroscience - and to ensure a diversity of thought, experience, and perspectives well-suited to shaping a fair, effective and impartial design.  Over the length of their distinguished careers, the members have had occasion to speak publicly about individual cases they have reviewed, and broadly about developments and trends in their field.  For some members, those statements include opinions about Maryland cases, on which they have been asked to consult, and the potential biases of public officials. Consistent with the Office of Attorney General's (OAG) commitment to overseeing a professional and independent audit that adheres to the highest standards of impartiality and integrity, the Team began its work by discussing the potential challenges posed by public statements about cases that may ultimately be reviewed in the audit.  After detailed discussion, the Team expressed its shared commitment to the imperative that the integrity and impartiality of the work of the Design Team and its members be unassailable.  The Team considered its mandate to establish a systematic and transparent process for review of the cases.  This process is separate and distinct from the second part of the overall project, which is the actual review of cases.  The OAG and the Team will take steps to avoid any potential impact of prior public statements as the review process moves into the case review phase. Representatives of the OAG and the Governor's Office, who are working with the Design Team, have spoken with all Team members and determined that positions they have taken prior to the formation of the Team will not interfere with the Team's work.  Nevertheless, any prior statements of individual Team members are neither adopted nor endorsed by the Design Team, the Office of the Attorney General, or the Governor's Office. Chosen to bring a wide array of talent, expertise, and perspective to the critical goal of designing an effective and unbiased audit, the Design Team is committed to performing its work with utmost impartiality, integrity, and transparency.   https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2022/10422.pdf   Stay Connected with the Maryland Attorney General: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Help  |   This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maryland Attorney General · 200 St. Paul Place · Baltimore, MD 21202