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Nueces County medical examiner outlines rising caseload, accreditation needs and equipment requests
Summary
Medical Examiner Dr. Mark Fernandez reported increased reports and cases, described accreditation and toxicology challenges tied to synthetic drugs, and requested capital purchases including microscope estimates, bariatric autopsy trays (~$46,100 each) and a van to reduce transport delays.
Dr. Mark Fernandez, the county medical examiner, told the court his office has seen a rising trend in reported deaths and in requests for forensic services and outlined equipment and staffing needs tied to accreditation and increasing case complexity.
He said roughly 2,450 deaths were reported to the medical examiner in 2014, with about 653 of those brought into the office for evaluation. For the first half of 2015 he reported 1,254 reports and 344 bodies brought in—an increase over the comparable six‑month period in 2014. "The numbers are up as far as over time," he said, and noted…
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