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 2024 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, 2024.

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

2024 Dr. David Avolt Memorial Training Conference Hotel Reservations

Registration & Exhibitors Hours

Registration & Coroners Shop

Exhibitors Hours

INDIANA DAY Thursday, June 20th
8:00 am - 4:00 pm	Registration
9:45 am – 10:00 am	Welcome - Ed Cripe, Clinton County Coroner, ISCA President Welcome – Phil Zahm, Huntington County Chief Deputy Coroner, CTB Chairman Welcome - Dr. Lindsay Weaver, 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 & CTB/ISCA Update, Tony Ciriello, CTB Director of Training
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Coroner Panel
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Dr. Phil O’Shaugnessy Case Studies
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm	Break
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm	Awards Ceremony
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	SUID Investigations: Reenactments & Collaboration. Jo Catania, MPA, D-ABMDI
7:30 pm - 11:00 pm	Cornhole Round Robin, Game Night & DRIVE Alive Simulator Gathering Room, Sponsored by ISCA and Exhibitors
Friday, June 21st
7:00 am - 4:00 pm	Registration
8:00 am - 8:15 am	Announcements
8:15 am - 12:00 pm	Barbara Butcher. Problem Cases in the Medicolegal Death Investigation: We Won’t Get Fooled Again Mass Fatality Management: Do it Right the First Time, or Go Back Later Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Is it Necessary for Death Investigation?
* Breaks are given at the discretion of the speaker
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)
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm	Steve Ainsworth. Cold Case Study:1970 Betty Lee Jones Rape Murder Gunshot Wounds and Sharp Force Injuries Can’t We All Just Get Along? Coroners and Law Enforcement Working Together
* Breaks are given at the discretion of the speaker
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm	Magician/Comedian, Kirk Bogos
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm	Gathering Room Sponsored by ISCA and Exhibitors
Saturday, June 22nd
7:00 am – 10:00 am	Registration
8:00 am – 8:15 am	Announcements
8:15 am – 12:00 pm	Steve Ainsworth. Exhumations Case Study: Murder, Officer Involved Shooting, and The Aftermath Blood at a Scene: More Than Something to Avoid Stepping In
* Breaks are given at the discretion of the speaker

All Coroners and Deputy Coroners will be required to scan in each day and upon returning from lunch breaks and at the end of the day. Please remember to bring your ISCA issued ID card. If you have lost yours, a new one will be available for $5.00.

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.

No one under the age of 18 will be permitted into the lecture area.

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. Any infractions are subject to $5.00 fine per incident with money going to the Dr. David Dennis scholarship fund.

A special thank you goes 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 Ed Cripe, Clinton County Coroner ISCA President Kristin Enoch, Carroll County Coroner ISCA Vice President Dr. Jon Brandenberger, Allen County Coroner ISCA Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Barker, Tippecanoe County Deputy Coroner Executive Director John Grolich, Marshall County Coroner At-Large Dr. Donna McVay, Parke County Coroner At-Large Charity Banks, Decatur County Coroner Immediate Past President Billy Scott, Clark 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 Lobbyists Patrick Tamm Tamm Capital Group Abbi Raben Tamm Capital Group Rick Cockrum Tamm Capital Group 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 Shields, 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 & CTB/ISCA Update - PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: Legislative/Legal Update: This session will provide details on the latest legislative session and the effectiveness it has on the Office of the Coroner as well as previous legislation. This session will also provide the roles of the Indiana Sate Coroners Training Board and the Indiana State Coroners Association.

Coroner Panel PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: Coroner panel discussion will be held utilizing four 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 manages this situation. Sitting on the panel will be Tony Ciriello, CTB Director of Training and moderator, Cyndi Dykes, Porter County Coroner, Merv Miller, Elkhart County Coroner, Jeff Jellison, Hamilton County Coroner and Jeremy McKim, Harrison County Coroner.

Jo Catania, MPA, D-ABMDI PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: SUID Investigations: Reenactments and Collaboration This two-hour course is designed to provide a framework for investigators to navigate the complexities of a sudden unexpected death investigation (SUID). SUID investigations are complex and multifaceted and require a unique approach in comparison to typical death investigations. This course will integrate a traumainformed approach for interviewing, emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary collaborative, and familiarize attendees with the importance of a doll reenactment. By blending these three elements, attendees will be empowered to conduct a thorough and compassionate infant death investigation.

Barbara Butcher, MDI - PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: Unique cases that offer a challenge from other coroners and deputy coroners.

PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: SUID Investigations: Reenactments & Collaboration

PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: Problem Cases in Medicolegal Death Investigation: We Won’t Get Fooled Again

The Manner of Death is primarily determined by the investigation at the scene and the interview of witnesses. These provide a context for the death and how it occurred. However, evidence at a scene is subject to interpretation and experience, and witnesses are not always dependable—some are purposefully untruthful.

We will review cases that fooled the initial responders, post-mortem changes that can alter findings, and techniques of eliciting accurate information from witnesses.

Mass Fatality Management: Do it Right the First Time, or Go Back Later - We will present and review the management and operations of two mass fatality disasters: the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the East Asian Tsunami of 2004. In the case of 9/11, why did we have to go back five years after the initial remains recovery and re-excavate the site in a long operation costing millions of dollars? In the East Asian Tsunami in Thailand, what failure on the first day resulted in a prolonged and costly recovery and ID process? We will discuss how the initial assessment can change everything.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Is it Necessary for Death Investigation? - Non-binary, transgender, three-spirit, bisexual, queer, polyamorous, gay: the terms keep changing as people become more aware of the variety and fluidity of gender and sexuality. Does a decedent’s identity need to in-corporate their gender preference and sexual orientation? If so, how do we determine that? Is it relevant to death investigation? Let’s discuss.

Detective Steve Ainsworth (ret) - PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: Detective Steve Ainsworth (ret) This will encompass several presentations on a variety of topics, including: The 1970 Betty Lee Jones Rape/Murder, which was solved after 16 years of investigation through FGG, Gunshot Wounds and Sharp Force Injuries, Coroners and Law Enforcement Working Together, Exhumations, Murder, Officer Involved Shooting, and The Aftermath – an investigation into not only the incident itself, but the harrowing aftermath of the officer involved, Blood at a Scene: More Than Something to Avoid Stepping In. Through examples, diagrams, photographs, and personal experience, Steve will guide the participants through each topic, promoting a better understanding of each.

R.A.D. - Rape Aggression Defense - The Rape Aggression Defense System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is not a martial arts program. Courses are taught by nationally certified R.A.D. instructors and provide each student with a workbook/reference manual that outlines the entire Physical Defense Program for refrence and continuous personal growth. Minimum age is 13 years old. This is a 12 hour program and attendance is required for both sessions. June 20-21 from 9am-4pm.

Tony Ciriello, MDI - is retired after a 34-year career in law enforcement, most recently serving as Chief of Po-lice for the Syracuse Police Department. Ciriello started his law enforcement career as an arson investigator for the State of Indiana before joining the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department where he served in numerous capacities during his tenure there. Those capacities were patrol officer, supervisor, detective, narcotics officer, D.A.R.E. officer and field training officer.

In addition to his law enforcement career, Ciriello holds a certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator, is also a Center for Disease Control Certified Infant Death Investigator/Instructor. For the last 25 years Ciriello has served as the Director of Training and Education for the Indiana State Coroners Training Board and for 24 years had been a Deputy Coroner and served as the elected Coroner in Kosciusko County for 8 years. He is currently a deputy coroner in Marshal County and serves on the Kosciusko County Council.

Ciriello is a family care specialist for Mishler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Milford as well as the Vice- President of Sales for Heritage Monument Company. He holds an Indiana Insurance License in Life Insurance and assists families with funeral pre-planning.

In addition to those activities, he is the Past-President of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police and Past-President of the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club. Ciriello is a graduate of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy and the Indiana Police Executive Leadership Academy. He serves on numerous local boards and civic organizations.

Ciriello is the recipient of the Excellence in Government Award from the Syracuse/Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, two times Leaders Leader Award from the Indiana Police Executive Leadership Academy and was award-ed the William Sudbury Memorial Leadership Award from the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police. He was honored in 2015 with a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Pence. He received the 2020 Government Excellence Award from the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Jellison, MDI - has served as the elected coroner of Hamilton County since 2023, he had served as a deputy coroner from 2015 until his election. Prior to the coroner’s office Jeff spent his career as a law enforcement officer with the Noblesville and Carmel Police Departments. After leaving law enforcement he worked in the private sector specializing in Sports Management. In 2012 he founded and published the Hamilton County Reporter Newspaper.

Jeff earned a degree from Ball State University, graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and has also completed course studies with I.U. School of Medicine Department of Toxicology, I.U. Death Investigation School, Northwestern University Vehicular Homicide School, and the F.B.I Child Molestation

Training. He lives in Westfield with his wife and is the father of two adult children, two adult stepchildren and three grandchildren.

Mervin Miller, MDI - has been with the Elkhart County Coroner’s Office since 2013 where he obtained his certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator through the State of Indiana. In April of 2021 Merv was elected to the position of coroner at a Republican Caucus to fulfill the remainder of the term vacated by the resignation of Mr. Elliott. Merv is an active member of the Elkhart County Child Fatality Review Team, the Elkhart County suicide prevention board as well as serving on the Elkhart General Hospital donor council board. Merv helped to initiate the Elkhart County L.O.S.S. ( Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. Merv provides educational seminars to first responders and the public on the roles and responsibilities of the coroner.

Cyndi Dykes, MDI - serves as the elected coroner in Porter County where she earned her certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator through the State of Indiana. Cyndi is a certified Histology Technician with the American Society of Clinical Pathology. She has over 25 years of experience working in the Pathology Department of the hospital. A 52-year resident of Valparaiso she has been married to her husband for 40 years and has three adult children and 2 grandchildren. Not only does she serve as the coroner in Porter County she also assists her husband at his locally owned funeral home.

Jeremy McKim, MDI - serves as the elected coroner in Harrison County and previously served as a deputy coroner. Jeremy spent his career in the fire service retiring in 2017 after 23 years. During his time in the fire service, he obtained the rank of Assistant Chief and served in many other capacities. He currently serves as the Harrison County Hospital E.M.S. Director and has also been a Flight Paramedic for Air Methods Corporation.

He is an active Reserve Deputy for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and is the reserve coordinator. He had previously served as a Tactical Paramedic for the Southeast Indiana Regional SWAT Team as well as the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Response Team. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute Homicide Investigation Program. Jeremy and his wife have two children and seven grandchildren.

Jo Catania - is an enthusiastic and creative educator with over 23 years of investigation experience. She has a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University. Jo is the former Chief Medical Ex-aminer Investigator for WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She draws from her 15 years of law enforcement experience and 13 years as a death scene investigator to develop trailblaz-ing and engaging curriculum and courseware. Jo enthusiastically provides innovative standardized training for medicolegal death investigators, Law Enforcement, Child Protective Service Professionals, and Coroners in vari-ous states. Her expertise was requested in the production of a national child death investigation training video produced by the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention. She is currently a training subcommittee member for the Governor’s Task Force Child Death Protocol Committee. She is also a registered Diplomat with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, the Affiliate President of the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners and recognized by IADLEST as a Nationally Certified Instructor. Currently, Jo is employed as a Human Resources Developer with the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. She is responsible for program evaluation, implementation planning, and curriculum development for police officers through-out Michigan. Additionally, she is the CEO of Catania Training & Development, LLC. In her spare time, she is a serial hobbyist.

Barbara Butcher - is an expert in medicolegal death investigation and currently a consultant in forensic investigation, collaborating with forensic pathologists, educators, television, and mystery writers.

She is the former Chief of Staff and Director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, where she was responsible for Investigations, Disaster Planning, Identifications, Evidence, and Missing Persons. She oversaw the remains recovery effort at the World Trade Center after 9/11 and helped manage the response to the crash of Flight 587 and investigated the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

Barbara has worked internationally, consulting for the World Health Organization and responding to the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand, the London Underground bombing, and assisted in disaster planning for the Hong Kong and Norwegian governments.

As a medicolegal death investigator at OCME, she investigated more than 5500 death scenes and 680 homicides. Her book “What the Dead Know” covering some of her most interesting cases, was published in 2023 by Simon and Schuster.

Steve Ainsworth - was a Law Enforcement Officer from June 13, 1977, through May 26, 2021, working in patrol as well Investigative assignments, including the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), with the last twenty-five in Major Crimes against Persons/Homicide.

He attended St. Louis University Medical School Medicolegal Death Investigation Basic and Masters’ courses, along with over 1,000 hours of death investigation related training. He has been a trainer at the Colorado Coroner’s Association Conference twice a year since 1994 and a trainer several times at Wyoming Coroners’ Association conference.

He has been a Death Investigation trainer for over 100 different agencies over his career. He investigated or consulted on over 2,400 deaths of all causes and manners and is recognized in district court as an expert in death investigation.

He and his wife Bethene, have five children and one grandchild and live in Northern Colorado, where he works part time as a consultant and law enforcement liaison with Othram Laboratory.

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