NIST Postmortem Toxicology Testing and Death Reporting (Certificates) Workshop

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in support of the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy published by Office of National Drug Control Policy on May 4, 2026, is hosting an in-person workshop exploring challenges with drug toxicity death reporting in the United States. NIST’s Forensic Science Standards Program and Standards Coordination Office in collaboration with medical examiners, coroners, toxicologists, relevant professional associations, and other experts are discussing the important decisions made in this area and how standardization may help improve data quality and quantity.

The workshop participants will discuss three specific questions which include:

• What types of deaths obtain postmortem toxicology testing?
• How do toxicology laboratories establish the scope of postmortem toxicology tests offered to their customers?
• How do medical examiners and coroners report drug toxicity deaths on death certificates?

The purpose of these discussions is to better understand the decision-making process by medical examiners, coroners, and toxicologists and what factors influence these decisions.

NIST is inviting medical examiners, coroners, toxicologists and professional association representative to enable a manageable dialogue during the event. Each afternoon from 3:30-5:00PM individuals attending the IACME Conference will be encouraged to stop by the workshop and express their views on specific issues.