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County manager summarizes death-inquest investigator program; three investigators now assigned to JPs 1–3
Summary
Williamson County officials described a nine‑month rollout of a death‑inquest investigator program that assigns certified investigators to three justice‑of‑the‑peace offices; the court discussed caseload growth, autopsy costs and options for a future medical examiner model.
County Manager Rebecca Clemons briefed the Williamson County Commissioners Court on Sept. 23 about the county’s death‑inquest investigator (DI) program, now roughly nine months into operation in three of four justice‑of‑the‑peace offices.
The court heard that the DI program was adopted under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure chapter 49, subchapter A, with section 23 permitting Commissioners Court appointment of investigators to assist justices of the peace. Clemons said the DI team responds to most deaths in county jurisdiction unless a justice of the peace elects to go to a scene. The justice of the peace retains statutory authority to determine the official cause and manner of death and to sign documents such as death certificates.
Clemons introduced three certified investigators assigned as follows: Valerie Alvarez to JP2, Kalen (Kaitlin) Kravitz to JP3, and Reuben Liao to JP1. She described the investigators as board‑certified through ABMDI and noted their experience with medical examiner offices, EMS and law enforcement. The DI duties listed include on‑scene investigations, next‑of‑kin interviews, coordination with hospitals and transport arrangements, and preparation of official reports for the justice of the peace. Clemons said the team is meeting continuing‑education requirements and that personnel will attend training as budgeted.
Commissioners and staff discussed workload and cost trends. Clemons reported a marked increase in case counts in 2024–25: average weekly cases rose from about 21 to more than 26 year‑to‑date, and some offices had higher weekly caseloads. The court examined autopsy cost trends and transport expenses; Clemons said Hill Country Forensics charges about $3,200 per autopsy and Travis County about $4,100, while transport and temporary holding with a private vendor (Tranquility/Tranquil) move bodies for shorter-term holds at substantially lower per‑case cost. The court asked staff to track whether DI recommendations that omit autopsy differ from eventual autopsy findings and to return with further data.
Clemons said the current DI model is workable at present volumes but recommended brainstorming a staged approach and exploring partnerships — including using regional forensic providers or a future county medical examiner office — if case volumes continue to rise. She said county staff will explore whether a centralized medical examiner model or a cooperative arrangement with neighboring counties or private providers would be cost‑effective and feasible in the coming years.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was entered into the record for Sept. 23, 2025.
