Annual Statistical Reporting Audit Medical Examiner's Office 2018 Medical Examiner's Statistical Report

The Cuyahoga County Department of Internal Auditing (DIA) has conducted an audit of the internal controls of the Medical Examiner's Office (MEO) annually released statistical report, for the processes in place during the release of the 2018 report. The main objective of the audit was to assess the completeness and accuracy of the statistical report published annually by the Medical Examiner. Audit procedures disclosed internal control weaknesses related to statistical reporting and information technology general controls (ITGC). Recommendations made by DIA included that MEO develop formal ITGC Policies and Procedures regarding critical applications including VertiQ and Justice Trax, work with their Justice Trax application provider to implement strengthened password requirements, incorporate secondary reviews for accuracy over the collection of data used in the annual Medical Examiner’s Statistical Report, and incorporate the requirement of the existence and review of audit trail and other supporting documentation within the report publishing Policies and Procedures Manual.