Lake County coroner details training gains, certification goals and plan for a new facility

Alex, Lake County's coroner, told commissioners on Jan. 23 that the coroner's office has focused on professionalization, achieved Colorado Coroners Association certification for staff and secured American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certification for at least one investigator.

Alex described the office's work as a 24/7 emergency service providing forensic death investigation, next-of-kin notification and victim advocacy. He said the office deploys with search-and-rescue on scenes where fatalities are possible and emphasized the physical and emotional demands of the work.

The coroner described training partnerships with a larger county coroner's office (Aurora/Rappahoe) to give Lake County investigators exposure to higher-case volumes and autopsy procedures; those internships and ride-alongs accelerate experience that local caseloads alone would not provide.

Alex said the office is planning a permanent, long-term mortuary and investigation facility for Lake County and urged the board to consider grant funding opportunities to offset capital and equipment costs. He asked for modest near-term capital work including remounting the cot in the county's response van to address a flexing mount and advised that portable radiography and ultrasound capability would add investigatory value.

The coroner also asked the board to consider additional office space and operational support, particularly as training and certification increase the office's ability to provide local forensic services.