Forensic Consulting

      Elizabeth Betts is a seasoned forensic professional with more than 17 years of experience in medicolegal death investigation, forensic case review, and quality assurance within Medical Examiner systems, with most of her career spent at the District of Columbia (DC) Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. 

Beginning as an autopsy technician supporting forensic pathologists, she performed evisceration procedures and collected forensic evidence across a full spectrum of case types, including pediatric deaths, decomposed remains, sharp- and blunt-force trauma, drug intoxications, thermal injuries, and other complex presentations. She also conducted fingerprinting, radiography, digital photography, and scene investigation, giving her a complete field-to-autopsy understanding of evidence development.

As she advanced into management roles, Elizabeth oversaw morgue operations and led the development of standard operating procedures for autopsy workflows, specimen and evidence collection, chain-of-custody documentation, and staff training. She established a customized quality program that improved operational consistency, competency, and accreditation readiness.

Elizabeth is a certified Internal Auditor and Technical Assessor for ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, conducting audits in forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, and scene investigation units. She later served as a lead for corrective actions and continuous improvement within death investigation divisions, strengthening policies, procedures, and the defensibility of forensic findings. She now works nationally as a Technical Assessor for Forensic Management Systems, supporting Medical Examiner offices in refining quality systems, documentation, workflows, and accreditation compliance.

Through her forensic consulting practice, Elizabeth assists attorneys by reviewing Medical Examiner reports, forensic documentation, and investigative findings, identifying gaps or inconsistencies, and clarifying standard medicolegal practices. She is also committed to community advocacy efforts involving wrongful-death and justice-centered initiatives.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Biology with a concentration in Behavioral and Anatomical Neuroscience. She is a member of the International Association for Identification (IAI), Georgia Division, and serves on the IAI Leadership & Professional Development Committee. 

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys hiking, fitness and strength training, and advancing her American Sign Language skills.

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Direct Email: Elizabeth@thelernerfirm.com