County medical examiner reports steady autopsy rate, rising unclaimed remains and problems getting doctors to sign death certificates

The Jackson County medical examiner reported to commissioners that the office investigated 163 cases from February through April and performed 47 autopsies — about 29% — and said projecting current trends would yield roughly 652 investigations and about 188 autopsies for the year.

"We performed 47 autopsies which is 29%," the medical examiner said, and added that percentages provide perspective beyond raw counts. He said the office averages about 54 investigations and 16 autopsies per month in the period reviewed.

The office outlined age and manner-of-death breakdowns for the reporting period: the medical examiner said about 10% of investigated deaths were under age 50 (triggering an autopsy protocol for that age group), 90% were over 50, 81% over 60 and 60% over 70. Manner-of-death figures cited were approximately 60% natural, 18% accidental, 5% suicide and 17% pending final toxicology or autopsy results. Locations of death were reported as roughly 40% in private residences and 45% in health-care facilities (hospitals, hospice or nursing homes).

The office also compared 12-month data across nearby counties and said Jackson, Lenway and Hillsdale together recorded roughly 311 autopsies over a year — about 0.85 autopsies per day — and that Jackson’s 12‑month total is consistent with the three-month projection.

The medical examiner flagged a continuing rise in unclaimed bodies: he reported 10 unclaimed bodies in March–April, two in the most recent May–June period recorded in the packet, and 24 unclaimed bodies year-to-date. He described the office's process for verifying potential relatives, churches and other contacts before proceeding to cremation for unclaimed remains that are not tied to criminal investigations.

The office raised enforcement problems when physicians refuse to complete death certificates. The medical examiner said state law makes refusal a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 or 30 days in jail, but that enforcement is inconsistent. "What physicians don't realize ... is that they've never been taught how to fill out a death certificate," he said, and described efforts to keep a list of physicians who decline to sign so the office can report repeat refusals to LARA for licensing review.

The board moved to receive the medical examiner report and approved it by voice vote.