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County coroner announces local autopsy room, proposes 'Kootenai County coroner and regional forensic center'
Summary
County staff said the county converted space at the Pierce Clegg building into an autopsy room now ready for use, has one signed contract with a board-certified pediatric medical examiner and proposes naming the facility the "Kootenai County coroner and regional forensic center."
Dr. Johnson gave commissioners an operational update Feb. 17 on the county’s coroner program and proposed an official name for the remodeled space.
Dr. Johnson told the Board of County Commissioners that the county’s relationship with Spokane for autopsy services ended Jan. 31 and that county buildings-and-grounds staff converted a kitchen in the work-release facility into an autopsy room that is "ready for use".
"They've converted the kitchen in our work release facility into an autopsy room, and it is ready for use, today," Dr. Johnson said, adding that the county issued a request for proposals and obtained interest from three medical examiners. He said the county has "a signed contract" with one examiner that would be presented for signature in the afternoon business meeting.
Dr. Johnson proposed naming the space the "Kootenai County coroner and regional forensic center," explaining that the regional label signals the county's intent to accept cases from surrounding jurisdictions once the center opens.
Commissioners reacted favorably to the name and noted that the building will retain its local title, the Pierce Clegg Building, while signage could reflect the new coroner and forensic center name. No formal vote on the name was recorded at the status update; Dr. Johnson said further contracts for two other examiners were being finalized.
