ATLANTA -- The American College of Forensic Examiners International (ACFEI)’s regional conference will be heldThe Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC) program is intended to train forensic professionals in the law, both generally and specifically. It educates individuals in the fine points of being competent and knowledgeable forensic consultants in the unique environment of the American judicial system. The CFC course begins with classroom instruction, followed by interactive role-playing scenarios, including a mock trial, and adversarial confrontations related to issues such as giving deposition testimony, testifying at trial, and assisting counsel and clients during the opposing expert’s testimony.  Participants are challenged so that when confronted with litigation they will be comfortable and competent in their role as forensic consultants. At the end of the CFC course, candidates sit for a comprehensive written examination. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will be conferred with the designation Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC).

 The course will be presented by instructor and course developer Charles Eckstein, DMD, CFC, CMI-IV, DABFE, DABFD.  Eckstein is a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Examiners and the American Board of Forensic Dentistry.

 The CFC course covers:

-- Adhering to professional ethics

-- Following proper documentation procedures

-- Writing error-proof reports

-- Preparing interrogatories and deposition testimony, and assisting counsel in the same

-- Presenting testimonial evidence and opinions

-- Providing courtroom testimony

-- Comporting with jurisdictional rules, including the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence

-- Preparing a professional resume or curriculum vitae, retainer agreements, contracts and other documents necessary for your protection

The Certified Medical Investigator (CMI) designation is an advanced credential that confirms to legal authorities that you have the appropriate experience, education, training and expertise in conducting medical investigations. It attests that you have completed the necessary coursework, acquired the advanced specialized knowledge and skills, and passed the required examinations on medical investigation to set you apart as a nationally recognized medical investigator.

 The CMI training course will educate attendees in the critical areas of forensic investigation, including the importance of recognizing evidence, securing evidence, protecting a forensic scene from contamination, and the legal issues involved in managing evidence and testifying about it. A brief introduction to forensic issues related to terrorism and disaster management will also be presented in the course. All forensic professionals will benefit from the course, including those outside the traditional medical professions.

Michael Karagiozis, DO, MBA, CMI-V, will be instructing the CMI training course.  Karagiozis has extensive medico-legal experience, having worked with the Nevada Office of the Attorney General from through defending the state of Nevada against a broad range of legal claims involving medical issues. He currently has a private practice performing medicolegal reviews and providing expert testimony for both plaintiff and defense counsels. He has academic appointments at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Health Sciences and the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Karagiozis speaks nationally on a variety of medical issues and makes weekly television appearances as a medical liaison for a morning news show.

Source: ACFEI