Accomplishments

Received full NAME Accreditation for the Ada County Coroners Office 2018, making the office one of seven in the nation to hold dual accreditations (NAME/ IACME). The medicolegal death investigation system is essential, and strengthening it matters. Under Dotti Owens’ leadership, the Ada County Coroner’s Office raised its standards to a new level. In 2017, the office earned full accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners for the first time in its history. This achievement reflects a strong commitment to quality, consistency, and integrity in every aspect of the office’s work.

Maintained International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME) Accreditation for the Ada County Coroners' Office from 2016 to the present. Re-accreditation is occurring. The Ada County Coroner’s Office has maintained accreditation since 2016, with re-accreditation completed in 2022.

Standards for the State of Idaho. Dotti has played a key role in advancing medicolegal death investigation standards across Idaho. When tasked with developing a statewide manual, she led the effort to create a policy-and-procedure guide that was adopted by the Idaho State Association of County Coroners in April 2018.

She also secured grant funding to support this work, allowing her and her team to provide training and ongoing assistance to coroners throughout the state.

Under the direction of Dotti, the ACCO developed into a regional facility while easing the taxpayer burden. In recent years, the Ada County Coroner’s Office has partnered with 33 Idaho counties and three tribal reservations. These partnerships not only generate revenue for the office but also provide access to essential services, including autopsies, toxicology, histology, and forensic anthropology.

Operating as a regional resource, in line with national recommendations, has allowed counties across Idaho to access critical forensic services while maintaining consistent standards established by the Idaho State Association of County Coroners. (Link- Autopsy number for each county)

Suicide prevention for middle-aged males: Ada County's highest suicide demographic.In 2021, Dotti secured multiple grants to launch the Man Therapy campaign across Ada County. In its first year, the campaign saw a 180% increase in website engagement along with a rise in calls to the prevention hotline. With continued grant support, she remains committed to expanding and sustaining this effort.

Developed a comprehensive Family Packet to guide and support families through the entire process.The packet provides clear, step-by-step information on what to expect, outlines available resources, and offers guidance on next steps during a difficult time. It was created to improve communication, reduce confusion, and ensure families feel informed, supported, and treated with compassion throughout the process.

Grant for expansion of Morris Hill, saving tax payer's funding. In 2020, Dotti secured a grant to expand cooler and freezer capacity at the Morris Hill location. Rapid growth, combined with the pandemic, created significant strain on storage space for the deceased. This expansion allowed the Coroner’s Office to continue operating effectively in the existing facility while the new building was under construction. Once operations move to the new facility, the Morris Hill site will be maintained as a backup resource, a necessity for the county and region's mass fatality plan.

Dotti partnered with Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine to bring the first medical student interns into the Ada County Coroner’s Office, creating a pathway to strengthen the forensic pathology workforce. This initiative provided hands-on exposure to medicolegal death investigation, autopsy processes, and interdisciplinary collaboration, helping students better understand the critical role of forensic pathology in both medicine and public health. By investing in education and mentorship, the program supports the development of future professionals and addresses long-term workforce needs in this specialized field.

New Facility. Dotti led the design and development of the new Ada County Coroner’s Office, which broke ground in March 2022. This facility is built to meet the county’s growing needs and support high-quality services for the next 50+ years. 

The new space addresses long-standing capacity challenges, allowing the office to focus fully on its work without the strain of an outdated, overburdened facility. It ensures the ability to maintain consistent, professional, and timely services for the residents of Ada County.

At the center of this work is a commitment to serving families and the broader community with care and respect. Under Dotti’s leadership, the Coroner’s Office will once again provide clear communication, timely information, and compassionate support to families during difficult moments, while ensuring every investigation is handled with dignity and professionalism.