ESTABLISHED IN JULY OF 1971, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S MEDICAL EXAMINER OFFICE INVESTIGATES THE CAUSE AND CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT. IN CITING MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 1976, THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE FACILITY IS NOTED, AND IT IS INDICATED THAT VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF THE OLD CORONER PROGRAM HAS BEEN UPGRADED OR FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERED TO BRING THE OFFICE INTO CONFORMITY WITH OTHER MEDICAL EXAMINER SYSTEMS. IT IS ALSO REPORTED THAT A FUNCTIONAL DATA SYSTEM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ALLOW CONTINUING COMPILATIONS OF CASES. FURTHER, GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN PROMULGATED TO FACILITATE EVALUATION ON A PER CASE BASIS OF MEDICAL EXAMINER CASE MATERIAL REGARDING RENAL TRANSPLANTATION. GOALS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMING YEAR ARE INCLUDED. PUBLICATIONS AND LECTURES BY THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF ARE LISTED. (RCB)