Ex-Montgomery County Judge Erik Blaine new coroner’s office, crime lab director

Erik Blaine, a former Montgomery County Common Pleas judge, has been selected to serve as director of the county coroner’s office and Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab, coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger said.

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In addition to his judicial service, Blaine brings experience as an assistant prosecutor and a private practice federal and state regulatory compliance attorney, Harshbarger said in a prepared statement released Friday.

Blaine holds degrees in psychology, criminal justice, and law from the University of Dayton. He also has specialized training in forensic evidence and death penalty criminal cases.

In July, Blaine joined the executive board for the Boy Scouts of America Miami Valley Council.

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The crime lab is the area’s facility that provides forensic analyses in touch DNA, analysis of seized drugs, impaired driver testing, analysis of samples from sexual assaults, and numerous other scientific testing services. These services are provided to police and investigative agencies locally and throughout Ohio.

Harshbarger, a state and nationally recognized expert in pathology and forensic pathology, said he looks forward to Blaine coordinating the coroner’s office and crime lab initiatives to combat the opioid epidemic.

Blaine has worked extensively with local groups, including the Montgomery County Drug Free Coalition as well as the Opioid Town Hall Task Force. He also has seen the impact of addiction on the criminal justice system.

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