Deputy coroner reports caseload rise, new office capabilities and plans for DNA/fingerprinting

Deputy Coroner Donnie Pearson told magistrates that since he took office in August 2020 the coroner's operation has grown from a small basement room to a full coroner's office adjacent to the community center with refrigeration storage that helps local funeral homes. Pearson said the capability is "unlike any of our neighboring counties" and invited magistrates to tour the office before the next meeting.

Pearson said statewide and federal requirements have expanded: the office now conducts toxicology testing and must review many deaths occurring in emergency departments. He reported caseloads increased from roughly 75 calls in 2019 to about 105 currently, and he announced plans to retain DNA sample cards and fingerprint records for decedents to streamline later medical-examiner work. "We'll also be starting fingerprinting everything," Pearson said. The court thanked him and offered to tour the facility.