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South Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center moves toward construction; county evaluates toxicology options
Summary
Union County described the 15,100 sq ft South Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center (state grant: $20M) with four autopsy stations and a 93‑position cooler, operational funding of $2M/year, and a phased plan to assume regional caseloads; staff will study feasibility of a local toxicology lab while continuing to submit samples to the state OCME.
County staff and project consultants gave a detailed update on the South Piedmont Regional Autopsy (SPRA) Center, a planned 15,100‑square‑foot facility supported by a $20 million state grant and additional county design dollars. The building is planned to include four autopsy stations, a regulated separate cooler for highly decomposed bodies, evidence and specimen storage, enhanced mechanical and ventilation systems, and a site layout designed for future expansion.
Operational model: The state grant includes $2 million in recurring annual operating funds in statute. County staff said they will bill autopsy fees on a state‑fixed schedule and expect reimbursements to support operations as the nine‑county region phases in (Gaston County is scheduled to transfer cases June 30). Staff reported the center has already completed several hundred autopsies in a temporary facility and is meeting national timeliness standards for case completion.
Toxicology and labs: Current policy requires submission of toxicology samples to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Raleigh; that service is free to counties but has historically produced variable turnaround times. County staff said current median turnaround times are much improved (weeks rather than many months), but the county has launched a feasibility study with design consultants to evaluate on‑site toxicology options (in‑house lab, third‑party operator, or continued state submission) and the capital/operational costs tied to each choice.
Why it matters: The center centralizes forensic pathology for a multijurisdictional region and adds capacity for mass‑casualty response and long‑term growth. The toxicology decision affects timeliness for forensic findings used in criminal cases and may carry capital and staffing implications.
What’s next: Staff expect to finish design documents, complete value engineering to bring costs in line with the grant, begin bidding and contracting in mid‑2026 if timing holds, and present toxicology‑study results when available.
