"The next bill is Introductory Number 604, sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members Rivera, James, Martinez, Sears, Gentile, Mealy and the Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum.

"Introductory Number 604 codifies in the City Charter an expansion of duties and powers of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).  The OCME has primarily been responsible for determining the cause and the manner of all sudden, violent, or unexpected deaths.  However, with advances in forensic science, OCME's responsibilities have expanded much further to include DNA analysis of homicides, assaults, property crimes, and other offenses - which have been enhanced by OCME's new DNA laboratory that we opened earlier this year.  This bill ensures that OCME will continue its important work as technologies change and we employ new, innovative approaches to solving crime, and reflects the new, true scope of OCME's duties and responsibilities.

"I would like to thank the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, headed by Dr. Charles Hirsch, for its commitment and dedication.  I would also like to thank the Council for approving this legislation."