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Madera County approves five-year forensic-pathology contract with NAG Forensic
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Summary
The board approved a contract extension with NAG Forensic for autopsy and comprehensive pathology services at $30,000 per month (about $360,000 annually), extending through Dec. 31, 2030; county staff said hiring an in-house forensic pathologist would be far more expensive.
Assistant Sheriff Jason Clark told the board that the sheriff-coroner's office is seeking approval to amend Madera County Contract No. 124003 with NAG Forensic to extend the term to Dec. 31, 2030 and to provide comprehensive forensic-pathology services for a monthly fee of $30,000.
"This contract is a monthly fee of $30,000 a month, dollars 360,000 annually...so with that, we're asking for the board to consider approving this and for the chair to sign," Clark said, explaining the contract restores predictable annual costs and expands scope to include autopsies, toxicology, radiology, clinical consultations and administrative support.
Clark and other staff noted the shortage and high market salary for forensic pathologists; he said attempting to hire a pathologist in-house would likely cost between $350,000 and $600,000 per year in salary alone. District Attorney Sally Warner spoke in support of the contract, saying the vendor provides reliable expert testimony and that anticipated expert fees for trials this year would run about $5,000 per day.
The board asked no substantive questions and approved the contract extension by a 4-0 roll-call vote.
The amendment locks in the monthly fee and maintains continuity of forensic services for the sheriff-coroner's investigative needs.
Vote: Motion to approve amendment to Madera County Contract No. 124003 with NAG Forensic — approved 4-0.
