Wayne County medical examiner reports faster autopsy and cremation-permit turnaround, cites outstanding invoices

Haralyn Immo, deputy director of the Department of Health and Human and Veteran Services, presented the Medical Examiner Office’s fourth-quarter turnaround analysis for July 1–Sept. 30. The office reported 3,864 decedents reported and 708 completed forensic procedures during the quarter, including 450 full autopsies, 237 inspections and 22 limited autopsies.

Immo said histology evaluations averaged 6.2 days and that 537 cases received a final cause-of-death determination during the reporting window with an average turnaround of 17.1 days; additional cases remained pending while toxicology, histology or investigative steps continued. The presenter said 289 cases required amendments with an average amendment turnaround time of 32.4 days.

Cremation permits remained a fast-moving public-facing service: the office processed about 2,900 cremation-permit requests during the quarter and completed the majority within the same day or within 24 hours. On the financial side, Immo reported that of issued cremation invoices, 1,639 were paid this quarter with an average payment time of about 49 days and that 1,261 invoices were outstanding, averaging 39 days outstanding.

Commissioners praised the improved operational speed; Commissioner Killeen said the improvements were notable compared with prior years when histology and toxicology delays were common. Commissioners asked about strategies to reduce outstanding invoices; Immo said the office has implemented electronic payment options, recently added an on-site ATM and conducts active outreach to collect outstanding fees.

Immo said the full report is in the meeting packet and noted the office will continue monitoring turnaround times and invoice aging.