In 2021, the United States experienced a record number of drug overdose deaths. From 2020 to 2021, there was a 12.5% increase1 in the number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates over 550 people died of a drug overdose in the District of Columbia in 2021-almost 10% more than 2020. The District also experienced numerous non-fatal overdoses in 2021. Many of the drug overdose incidences, both fatal and non-fatal, in the District can be attributed to the spread of Fentanyl and its analogs. The Opioid Fatality Review Board (OFRB) continues...

The District of Columbia’s Violence Fatality Review Committee (VFRC) is pleased to present its 2nd Annual Report. This Report covers data, discussions, and recommendations from the homicide and suicide cases reviewed by the VFRC in 2021.

We proudly present the 2020 Child Fatality Review Committee Annual Report. We hope that this report will help to inform our public servants and community advocates.

We proudly present the 2020 Developmental Disabilities Fatality Review Committee Annual Report. We hope that this report will help to inform our public servants and community advocates to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.

On behalf of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), we are pleased to present the 2020 OCME Annual Report, which provides key statistical data stemming from our critical work in death investigation and certification, as well as a snapshot of our key achievements over the year.

The DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigated a total of 2,548 deaths due to the use of opioids from January 1, 2017 through November 30, 2023. This report examines the presence of opioids (heroin, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, morphine, prescription opioids and the general category of opiates) in deaths observed at the OCME.

The 2012 relocation to the state of the art Consolidated Forensic Laboratory (CFL) has enhanced the Agency’s profile and mission to provide effective and accurate death investigation and certification.