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Medical examiner cites steady caseload, adds security and trims toxicology ask
Summary
Medical Examiner Director Tara Rick told the committee the office handled roughly 3,300 investigations last year (about 1,100 autopsies), requested funding for a security guard and adjusted toxicology spending estimates downward based on year‑to‑date figures.
Tara Rick, director of operations for the St. Louis City Medical Examiner’s Office, presented an overview of the office’s mission, contracts and FY27 budget requests.
Rick said the office’s three largest contract categories are professional forensic pathology services, histology/toxicology testing and mortuary/livery services. She estimated histology/toxicology testing costs vary by case (roughly $700 to several thousand dollars per case depending on tests) and said toxicology spending year‑to‑date supported lowering the FY27 request to about $350,000 so far.
Caseload: Rick reported the office investigated roughly 3,300 cases in the previous year, with about one‑third of those (roughly 1,100) brought in for forensic autopsy. Staffing: the office reported 23 full‑time staff (16 full time and 7 part time in the earlier breakdown) and no vacancies at the time of testimony.
Security and costs: Rick asked for a new professional services allocation to fund a security guard (through a city contract vendor) and explained the cost would be about $87,124 for FY27; the office implemented this security position in October and lacked funding in FY26 for the service.
Committee feedback: Members thanked the office for its work and asked about caseload trends and interagency cooperation; Rick said the office’s contracts and the newly launched case‑management software are helping workflow and case tracking.
