Armed Forces Medical Examiner System
Seal


Description/Blazon
A Gray disc displaying a shield blazoned as follows: Sable, a chevron Gules, overall a caduceus and scale conjoined Argent (Silver), all within a diminished bordure Argent. From a torse of the colors Argent and Gules between a laurel wreath Argent (Silver), a sphere Sable, grid-lined and fimbriated of the third, all within a double helix DNA strand of the last and Gules, base pairs Argent (Silver); all within a Black circular designation band, edged Red and inscribed ARMED FORCES MEDICAL EXAMINER SYSTEM all White, around an ethanol molecule representation in Black, Silver and Red, edged in White.

Symbolism
The colors of the seal are Black, White, Red and Silver (Gray). Black is emblematic of mortality and mystery. White illuminates as well as personifies life, purity and the pursuit of knowledge. Red embodies blood and sacrifice. Silver signifies sterility, precision, and alludes to medical instruments. The caduceus and scales of justice are intertwined to indicate the pursuit of fair and balanced legal and medical inquiry and the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner (OAFME). The chevron conveys the armed services aspect. The globe emphasizes the world-wide reach of the AFMES, while the wreath around it is indicative of honor and prestige. The ethanol molecule alludes to the Forensic Toxicology (FORTOX) department. Encompassing all, the ring of DNA illustrates both the Department of Defense DNA Registry as well as the literal unifying, unbroken bond between everyone and every living thing.





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