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Montmorency County hears medical examiner pitch

ATLANTA — Montmorency County officials indicated they would like more information on a medical examiner service proposed to the county board on Wednesday.

Marcus Atkins, senior director of development for the Michigan Institute of Forensic Medicine, told commissioners his Saginaw-based institute is the only privately held medical examiner service company in the state.

Atkins said the institute would be able to help work with counties to provide forensic pathology services, including toxicology reports. He said budgets for medical examiners vary throughout the state and said they may be able to help.

“It offers stability and predictability in your medical examiner budget,” he said.

Atkins explained terms in a potential contract would be flexible, with county officials able to determine what existing services they would like to retain and supplement services as needed. The institute would also help with succession planning and provide the county’s experts with additional training and education.

County Commissioner Daryl Peterson said the county’s funeral director is typically the first to arrive when needed and the medical examiner currently provides services to three or four counties.

Peterson said he would want both of those officials included in any future conversations and suggested setting up a meeting in the next month or two.

In addition to offering medical examiner services, Atkins said the institute will provide education to upcoming professionals in the field. The facility has employed Russell Bush as their chief medical examiner and will have three autopsy suites, a 60-body cooler, as well as a forensic and toxicology lab.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

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