Inadequate Resources, Underfunding Root Of Problem At LA Coroner’s Office, Grand Jury Says
The Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury report said that if the problems with staffing and backlogs were not addressed, it is likely to lose its accreditation, which would open county officials “to attacks on their credibility in criminal cases.”
Los Angeles Times:
Grand Jury Report Blames Underfunding For Problems At Coroner's Office
A civil grand jury report released Thursday blamed problems in the Los Angeles County coroner’s office — including lengthy backlogs in autopsies and toxicology reports — on underfunding. The Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury concluded that the Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner “is significantly understaffed in both coroner investigator and laboratory positions, has a sobering backlog in toxicology testing” and is likely to lose its accreditation if those issues are not addressed. (Sewell, 4/21)