Former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht has been appointed chairman of an international forensic examiners association.

Dr. Wecht, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh who served as coroner for 20 years, also was named chairman of The American Board of Forensic Medicine of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute's executive advisory board. The forensic organization has about 7,000 members worldwide.

Dr. Wecht said he will develop programs for certification and accreditation.

"The National Academy of Sciences [this year] was highly critical of the field of forensic science and the need for people and labs to be properly credentialed and certified," he said. "One of my major goals will be to improve the quality and try to meet the standards that the National Academy of Sciences has set forth."

A widely known consultant, author and lecturer, Dr. Wecht also served as chairman of the Department of Pathology and president of the medical staff at the former St. Francis Central Hospital in Pittsburgh.

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