Comments on: Ada Coroner Upset Highlights Need For State Medical Examiner

By: Eric T.

Eric T. — Mon, 26 May 2014 20:30:22 +0000

The court can appoint an elisor to arrest the sheriff as well. This is an option in case the sheriff and coroner are in cahoots.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 26 May 2014 19:26:19 +0000

I am confused… there are “no medical qualifications for the office of coroner” yet “his” findings IE suicide vs foul play” can be used in a court? I am really concerned by the fact that more than one elected official in ada county is “selling” the services of “his” office. As the editor stated empires are created by elected/appointed officials in the city, county, and state.

By: DO

DO — Mon, 26 May 2014 16:38:50 +0000

I believe that Bannock County does the examinations for the eastern half of the state. Not sure who does the north. The ones in the north could be done in Spokane.

I believe the actual coroner is not the same as the medical examiner, which if not mistaken is the forensic pathologist and how many of those are there in the state? How many actually conduct autopsies?

EDITOR NOTE–We are told Ada has “one and a half” forensic pathologists and they are the only ones in the state. Small counties can’t afford these professionals, hence our suggestion to have a statewide system of trained medical examiners with coroners still elected to do the legal notification and other duties.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Sat, 24 May 2014 06:40:04 +0000

It’s an expensive business to do an autopsy properly and requires a good deal of expertise which is often not available nor plausible in a small budget county. Some counties in Idaho have such poor coroner services that murders could be mistaken for accidental death or suicide. Like you said, NO qualifications required for the job.

By: TF Boy

TF Boy — Fri, 23 May 2014 19:23:42 +0000

I may wrong but the ME isn’t paid market rate by Ada Co. The out of county work supplements his income on a private basis. I agree though that a statewide program is needed.

EDITOR NOTE: For clarification, TF boy is referring to the forensic pathologists. We were told the out of county work is actually done as part of the Ada budget. It may supplement the office, but not the doctor directly.