Episode 240 | Just Family Support During Death Investigations

Episode Citation

Keyes, K., Reid, R., & Clarke, M. (2023, March 10). Just Science. Just Family Support During Death Investigations. [Audio podcast episode]. The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. https://forensiccoe.org/podcast-2023-supporting-mdis-ep3/

Guest Biography

Rebecca Reid moved to Cheyenne, WY in 2013 and is proud to call Cheyenne her home. She has extensive field experience and educational qualifications that have served the countless communities she has been a part. Prior to moving to Cheyenne, Rebecca served as death investigator with the District 14 Medical Examiner’s Office in Panama City, Florida for seven years. She served as Deputy Coroner for Laramie County Coroner’s Office from December 20, 2013 before being promoted to and serving as Chief Deputy Coroner since October 1, 2014. After being elected as Coroner in 2018 and taking office in January of 2019, Rebecca has worked tirelessly and brought the office and administration up to code, achieving accreditation and raising the standard for Laramie County. She continues to advance her field of specialty in medicolegal death investigation, with continuing education and hands on training in the field. For the past nine years, Rebecca has embraced the responsibility that comes with guiding families through the most difficult time in their lives, the loss of their loved ones. Rebecca’s promise is to continue serving Laramie County and each decedent and family member with dignity, compassion and respect.

Meghan Clarke is the supervisor of administration and program administrator for Family Advocate Support Team in the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. She is a Colorado native with over a decade of experience in victim services, victim advocacy, and trauma informed care. She graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Meghan began her journey in victim advocacy with an agency in Jefferson County called Victim Outreach Inc., working all types of cases from crisis calls to homicides. After 9 years, she moved to the Denver District Attorney’s Office where she served as a victim advocate and subject matter expert on victim issues and the Victim Rights Act (VRA). In June of 2021, Meghan was hired by the Office of the Medical Examiner to develop and oversee a family focused advocacy-based program. Since its inception, the FAST team has grown to include a robust internship program and in spring 2023, the team will be adding another full-time advocate! The team’s focus is on supporting those left behind after a traumatic loss and to date has provided advocacy services to loved ones in over 1,400 cases.