Resolution 242-2001
Board of County Commissioners
RESOLUTION NO. 242
-2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNlY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNlY, FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
MEDICAL EXAMINER FACIUTY IN MONROE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the BOCC recognizes that the Office of Medical Examiner for the Sixteenth
Judicial Circuit performs an indispensable function in determining the cause and manner of
death of any person who dies in Monroe County by:
Criminal violence
Accident
Suicide
Suddenly, when in apparent good health
Unattended by a physician or other health practitioner
In a prison, jail, or other detention facility
In policy custody
In any suspicious or unusual circumstance
By poison
By disease constituting a threat to public health
By disease, injury or toxic injury resulting from employment, or
When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea; and
WHEREAS, in 1999,644 persons died in Monroe County, 620 cases were referred to the
Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office, of which 98 were deaths due to violent causes, and
139 autopsies were performed; and
WHEREAS, the role of the Medical Examiner's Office is essential not only in the
investigation and prosecution of criminal cases but in providing the public, industry, employers,
physicians, and the families and loved ones of deceased persons with accurate information about
the causes of death; and
WHEREAS, the Medical Examiner currently performs autopsies in funeral home facilities
designed for the preparation of bodies for embalming and burial but not intended or adequate
for autopsies for medical or forensic purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Medical Examiner is currently without office space for the Examiner or
staff to perform their work or to meet with investigators, other physicians, or the families and
loved ones of the deceased; and
WHEREAS, the Medical Examiner is required to maintain records and detailed findings
of each autopsy and laboratory investigation for 30 years; and
WHEREAS, the Medical Examiner is required to maintain evidence and specimens
necessary to criminal cases under strict and controlled custody; and
WHEREAS, the Medical Examiner currently lacks proper facilities for maintain custody
of evidence and records retention; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA that:
Section 1. The BOCC supports the construction of a Monroe County Medical Examiner
Facility to include autopsy and laboratory facilities, adequate office space and proper provisions
for the storage of records, specimens, and evidence.
Section 2. County staff is directed to determine, in cooperation with the State
Attorney's Office, the Medical Examiner, and state and local law enforcement agencies, the
design, size, location, and estimated cost of a Medical Examiner facility appropriate for Monroe
County. Upon completion of the study, staff is further directed to submit a report to this
Commission, which shall include an analysis of available funding sources, including federal grant
funds under the Paul Coverdale Act.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the ?C1t-h day of June, 2001.
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