Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Forensic Grant Medical Examiner topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee accepts BJA forensic grant to buy x‑ray, hire investigator and recommends interim medical examiner
Summary
The committee recognized a Bureau of Justice Assistance Paul Coverdell forensic science grant (first-year funding $180,008.93) to buy an x-ray machine and hire a death investigator and recommended Dr. Adele Lewis serve as interim medical examiner while the county hires a full-time forensic pathologist.
Rutherford County’s EMS leadership told the Public Safety Committee the county secured a Bureau of Justice Assistance Paul Coverdell forensic science grant to support the medical examiner’s office. Ryan Gaither said the first-year award is $180,008.93 and the grant is funded for three years.
Gaither said the grant will help the county purchase an x-ray machine and hire an additional death investigator. He told commissioners the award is part of a multi-year plan to stand up a forensic center and that county leaders had applied months earlier for the funding.
Separately, Gaither asked the committee to recommend interim coverage by Dr. Adele Lewis, the state medical examiner who has served as deputy medical examiner since 2016, after the current medical examiner said she would retire her license at the end of August. Gaither said Dr. Lewis will serve in an interim capacity and assist in opening the forensic center; commissioners discussed compensation limits and conflict-of-interest concerns and voted to recommend interim coverage and to proceed with the grant-related budget amendment for the forensic resources.
