Photo by thisisbossi.

When counsel representing DC9 appeared in front of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Monday, it was probably the biggest update to date in the investigation of the death of Ali Ahmed Mohammed. There were several bits and pieces of news to emerge from the hearing: the suspension of the club’s liquor license was extended for at least another 30 days, the five club employees involved in the investigation have either resigned or been “let go,” and there will be another hearing on December 1. But the one thing that was clear from the hearing was that the control board — and everyone else — is still waiting on the medical examiner’s report to really move things forward.

We’re now going on 19 days since Mohammed died — so when can we reasonably expect to get our hands on that report? City Paper’s Rend Smith has the answer: even though autopsies are performed within 24 hours, it might be December before we see a conclusion from the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, based on regulations which “recommend” that the medical examiner release findings on autopsies within ninety days after performing the procedure.

And what of Mohammed’s case in particular? Fields can only tell us there’s nothing funny going on with the time it’s taking to churn out the report. “It’s not because anything is wrong or because they’re doing anything out of the ordinary,” she says. She also says those who think D.C.’s medical detectives are taking a unusually long time with Mohammed’s case are mistaken.

“It [the wait so far] isn’t really long for the industry,” she says. If that seems disappointing to those breathlessly awaiting closure, it gets worse. The 90-day limit is a recommendation, not a rule. “There are going to be cases that take more than ninety days,” Fields says.

Sure, it’s frustrating to have to wait so long for such an important piece of the puzzle in an emotionally-charged case. But since the report will go far towards determining the futures of at least five people, it’s certainly important for the OCME to take their time and make sure that everything is done appropriately.