The conference name refers to former Tippecanoe County Coroner, Dr. David Avolt, a veterinarian in Lafayette, Indiana. David died on August 16, 2012, as the result of an automobile accident in Dunedin, Florida. The Indiana State Coroner’s Association looked at the history of David’s dedication, love, leadership, and affiliation with the Association. After reflecting on the growth, positive changes, and guidance that David’s spirit still influences us today, we honor his service by recognizing him during this annual conference. He was a valuable part of making and molding the Indiana State Coroner’s Association and Indiana State Coroner’s Training Board from their beginnings into what they are today. David’s active involvement, encouragement, and forethought of the future and his drive for education and excellence are what we still strive for today. David was elected as the Tippecanoe County Coroner in 1984 after serving as a Deputy Coroner under Dr. William Sholty. As Coroner, he was instrumental in boosting the professionalism of all Coroner’s and their offices throughout the state. David even helped write the current legislation, enacted in 1993, that requires all elected Coroners and their Deputies to become training, certified, and maintain their education as medicolegal death investigators. Striving for better recognition for our profession, he was the first veterinarian to be elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Science in 1979. After serving as President of the Association in 1992 and being a longtime board member, he also served as the Executive Director of the Indiana State Coroner’s Training Board from 1994 to 1998. “Doc” is considered by many as the Dean of Indiana Coroners. His willingness to counsel, assist, or advise those seeking his wisdom or expertise as been a tremendous asset over the years, not only to Coroners, but to the families we all serve.

Conference Site
Sheraton Hotel & Suites
8787 Keystone Crossing
Indianapolis, IN

You must make the reservations for yourself and roommate. Please tell the hotel that you are attending the ISCA 2023 Annual Conference, as there have been discounted rooms reserved specifically for this conference.

The Indiana State Coroner’s Training Board will cover the cost of lodging for any Coroner or Deputy Coroner whose home or workplace is 50 miles away or grater from the conference site. For this conference, the ISCTB has established a “direct bill” account with Sheraton Hotel & Suites. When making this type of reservation, please tell the hotel that you are on the “direct bill account.” The hotel staff might ask for a credit card to be used at check-in for any incidentals that may occur during your stay.

You must make your hotel reservations before the cutoff date of May 20, 2023.

If the ISCTB is covering the cost of your room, you must share that room with one (1) person of the same sex from your home county (unless you are bringing your family). If you are sharing a room with your co-worker, please have the hotel place both names on the bill.

In the instance that your family is coming, they must register at the executive/registration booth for the ISCTB to pay for your room.

Marriott Reservations
888-627-7814

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1674671623363&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Registration & Exhibitors Hours

Registration & Coroners Shop

Exhibitors Hours

INDIANA DAY Thursday, June 22nd
8:00 am - 4:00 pm	Registration
9:45 am – 10:00 am	Welcome - Charity Banks, Decatur County Coroner, ISCA President Welcome – Phil Zahm, Huntington County Chief Deputy Coroner, CTB Chairman Welcome - Dr. Kris Box, IDOH Commissioner Opening Ceremony - Gordon Becher, Knox County Deputy Coroner Presentations of the Colors - Indiana State Police Color Guard National Anthem - Voices of the Indianapolis Fire Department
10:00 am - 11:00 am	Indiana Law, Tony Ciriello, CTB Director of Training
11:00 am - 11:30 am	Electronic Submissions for Identification of Deceased Individuals Marcus Montooth & Mallory Webb, ISP
11:30 am - 12:00 pm	Coroner Panel
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Lunch (Sponsored by Valor Technical Cleaning)
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm	Coroner Panel
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm	Dr. Phil O’Shaugnessy Case Studies
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm	Break
2:45 pm - 3:30 pm	Awards Ceremony
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Building a winning case for Dealing Resulting in Death – a team effort to combat a growing problem. SA Justin Brandt & Master Detective Chris Smith
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm	Happy Hour (Sponsored by Valor Technical Cleaning)
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm	Cornhole Round Robin & Drive Alive Simulator Gathering Room, Sponsored by ISCA and Exhibitors
Friday, June 23rd
7:00 am - 4:00 pm	Registration
8:00 am - 8:15 am	Announcements
8:15 am - 12:00 pm	The First 48, Homicide Detective, Jason White
9:00 am - 11:00 am	S.A.F.E. Training (for wives only)
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm	Lunch (provided)
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	General Business Meeting for Paid Coroners Only or their Proxy (lunch provided)
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm	Break
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm	Exhibitors Recognition
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm	The First 48, Homicide Detective, Jason White
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm	Break
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm	The First 48, Homicide Detective, Jason White
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm	Magician/Comedian, Daniel Lusk
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm	Game Night & Gathering Room Sponsored by ISCA and Exhibitors
Saturday, June 24th
7:00 am – 10:00 am	Registration
8:00 am – 8:15 am	Announcements
8:15 am – 9:15 am	Inside the Fence, Gordon Becher
9:15 am – 10:15 am	The Art of Finding Missing Persons, Samantha Molnar, Missing Persons Analyst
10:15 am – 10:30 am	Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm	An Introduction into Forensic Entomology, Clayton Nolting, Bartholomew County Coroner

All Coroners and Deputy Coroners will be required to scan their ISCA provided identification badge at the beginning of each day, when returning from lunch, and at the end of the day. ID badges are available for purchase if lost or stolen in the registration room.

Breaks are given at the discretion of the speaker. Video and/or audio taping of any sessions or parts thereof is not permitted. Although precautions are taken to prevent schedule changes, speakers and program schedules may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

All cell phones or devises must be turned off or placed in “silent” mode during all events where a speaker is present. If you must make a phone call, please step outside into the lobby area. Attendee phones sounding off during conference presentations will be fined $5.

A special thank you to the Indiana State Coroners Association Board of Directors and the Indiana State Coroners Training Board members for their continued foresight on behalf of the coroners of the state of Indiana.

Indiana State Coroners Association Charity Banks, Decatur County Coroner ISCA President Ed Cripe, Clinton County Coroner ISCA Vice President Kristin Enoch, Carroll County Coroner ISCA Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Barker, Tippecanoe County Deputy Coroner Executive Director Dr. Jon Brandenberger, Allen County Coroner At-Large Dr. Donna McVay, Parke County Coroner At-Large Billy Scott, Clark County Coroner Immediate Past President John Grolich, Marshall County Coroner 2nd Past President Board of Directors Doug Banks, Decatur County Gordon Becher, Knox County Leslie Cook, Adams County Marian Dunnichay, Tipton County Mark Franklin, Lawrence County Roger Lewis, Parke County Dr. Steven Seele, Howard County Phil Zahm, Huntington County ISCA Lobbyist Rick Cockrum Capitol Assets, LLC CTB Representatives Tony Ciriello, Marshall County Deputy Coroner CTB Director of Training Indiana State Coroners Training Board Phil Zahm, Huntington Co. Chief Deputy Coroner ISDH Chairman Major Sidney W. Newton Indiana State Police Dr. Jon Brandenberger, Allen County Coroner Board Member (Republican) Vice Chairman Chris Brown, Crawford County Coroner Board Member (Democrat) Jeri D. Good, Fulton County Coroner Board Member (Republican) Joani Stalcup, Monroe County Coroner Board Member (Democrat) Lisa Barker, Tippecanoe County Deputy Coroner Executive Administrative Assistant Tony Ciriello, Marshall County Deputy Coroner Director of Training

Indiana Law - The presentation will discuss portions of Indiana Law as it pertains to the job of the coroner’s office. This will also include legislative updates from the 2023 legislative session. As the Director of Training, Ciriello has a vast knowledge of Indiana Law and as a member of the associations legislative team he has inside knowledge and experience collaborating with legislators on legislative activities that effect the coroner’s office.

Electronic Evidence Submissions - The Indiana State Police have been receiving evidence items electronically since 2017. This process significantly decreases the time it takes for body identifications. Exemplars can be taken at the coroner’s office and scanned or photographed, then sent to the lab by email or file sharing. Turnaround time is typically same day, or within a day for preliminary results. We will go through what items are accepted electronically, what equipment is necessary, and how to send in the submission. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a file sharing account to aid in submitting electronically.

Panel Discussion A panel discussion will be held utilizing 4 coroners from around the state from various size agencies. The purpose of this panel is to share information, discuss issues faced by coroners, to share problem solving techniques and to answer those questions of how someone else handles a situation. Sitting on the panel will be Tony Ciriello, CTB Director of Training, Cameron McCreary, Dearborn County Coroner, David Pastrick, Lake County Coroner, Greg Roution, Floyd County Coroner and Jennie Short, Dekalb County Coroner.

Dr. Phil O’Shaughnessy Case Studies - Unique cases that offers a challenge from other coroners and deputy coroners.

Building a winning case for Dealing Resulting in Death - a team effort to combat a growing problem. Methods and techniques used for investigations into instances involving individuals who have conducted distributions of controlled substance that have resulted in death will be discussed. The technological side of the investigations as well as the best translation of the evidence needed in these investigations from police work to prosecution to forensics will be touched on. TFO Smith and SA Brandt will also discuss a case study of an investigation for which prosecution was accepted and will be available to answer questions/have discussion from/with attendees.

The First 48 - This is going to be a presentation that will start with how the Tulsa Police Department Homicide Unit organizational structure, history, and their successful strategies which has led to a 95% homicide clearance rate over the past 7 years. In addition, Det. White will discuss their involvement with A&E’s show “The First 48”, to include reasons they participate in the filming of the program, and the ups and downs of being involved in this type of venture.

Furthermore, there will be a focus on the relationship between homicide detectives and medical examiner investigators/coroners in dealing with the various types of death scenes. There will also be a focus of interpreting crime scenes, identifying evidence, basics of blood spatter, dealing with family members, and discussing the importance of a cohesive working relationship between law enforcement and the Medical Examiner/Coroner’s office.

Detective White will include several case studies to include homicides, suicides, and an officer involved shooting. The presentation is intended for coroners, medical examiners, law enforcement officers, investigators, and prosecutors.

Daniel Lusk, Magician - For over a decade, Daniel Lusk has been recognized as one of the most captivating performers in his field. Daniel Lusk started performing his unique style of comedy and magic in the Indianapolis Indiana area in 2002.

Since then, he has been seen across the United States, overseas, by celebrities, national sports teams, and on national TV. His magic has not only been seen by millions, but Daniel also lectures at conventions for other magicians teaching his trade.

Inside the Fence - is designed to provide you a glimpse from a much different setting from what you normally see at the Coroners Conference. Once you’ve gone through processing and body search, those prison doors slam closed securely behind you and you’re inside the confines of the facility, now, the term “life” takes on several meanings. There are so many situations happening, both good and bad going on constantly. The challenges that you may face during a prison death investigation is much different from your “normal” cases. Inside the Fence brings you an up-close view, from ways of staying alive in everyday prison life, to witnessing murder.

The Art of Finding Missing Persons - Thousands of missing persons reports are filed each year. Though most are closed, there are several that still sit open, leaving law enforcement stumped. Molnar discusses her role as a criminal intelligence analyst and forensic artist for the state of Ohio. She goes into detail on some of the missing persons and unidentified remains cases she has worked over the years and how forensic art and intelligence resources have been used to crack them. Molnar will address the resources and services available to Coroner’s offices through forensic art.

A brief introduction into Forensic Entomology - exploring Forensically Significant Dipteran Species, estimation of the postmortem interval, taphonomy, evidence collection and preservation, and case studies.

S.A.F.E - an unparalleled 2-hour educational awareness, crime-victim prevention program encompassing Strategies, Techniques, Options, and Prevention, that provides teenage & adult women with information that may reduce their risk of exposure to violence and introduces them to the physical aspects of self-defense.

The program consists of:

17-minute motivational video that is shown as part of every program.

1 1/2 hour familiarization with what physical self-defense is about.

Dress Code

COVID-19

General Business Meeting

General Session Attendance

Dr. Phil O'Shaughnessy Case Study

Panel Discussion

Gathering Room

ID Badges

A/V Recording

Awards Ceremony

Exhibitor Door Prizes

Brain Bucket Bingo

Sheraton Restaurant

Cell Phones

Educational Hours

Conference Registration

General Directions to the Sheraton Hotel & Suites

Map