Medical Examiner Reports 2300 Cases with 200 Toxicology Deaths in County

The DeKalb County ERPS Committee convened on August 5, 2025, to discuss several key topics, beginning with an update from the medical examiner's office regarding toxicology cases. The meeting was slightly adjusted in order to accommodate the arrival of a commissioner.

The medical examiner provided a brief overview of the total cases reported to the office, noting that approximately 2,300 cases were logged last year. This figure reflects a steady trend following a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. The medical examiner emphasized that not all deaths in the county are reported to their office, and not every reported case necessitates an examination.

A notable focus of the discussion was on toxicology cases, which represent a substantial portion of the total cases examined. The medical examiner explained that toxicology cases typically require examination, except in instances where individuals have been hospitalized for an extended period. In such cases, a review of medical records suffices, as the examination would yield limited information.

The report highlighted that there were over 200 toxicology-related deaths in the past year. The medical examiner indicated that further details regarding specific types of deaths would be provided later in the meeting.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the medical examiner's office in managing case loads and the implications of toxicology on public health in DeKalb County. Further discussions and updates are anticipated in future meetings as the committee continues to address these critical issues.