Lowndes County has an autopsy laboratory but no forensic pathologist, and Greg Merchant, Lowndes County coroner, hopes that changes.
Merchant spoke to the Columbus Rotary Club Tuesday at the Columbus Country Club about the positives of having a forensic pathologist working out of the Columbus crime lab to begin performing autopsies in Lowndes County. A forensic pathologist examines a corpse to determine the cause of death.
Merchant said there are only four forensic pathologists in the state of Mississippi and having one would set the county apart from others because it would become a destination for those wishing to have an autopsy. The closest pathologist currently is located in Jackson.
“It wouldn”t be a money maker. We would recoup some money from charging facility use fees for other counties,” he said, noting around 20 nearby counties said they would travel to Lowndes County for autopsies.
“We would have other counties come in here as opposed to going to Jackson.”
Merchant also believes having a pathologist would cut down on transportation costs for the county and allows the district attorney and investigators to watch the autopsy. He said the county travels to Jackson for autopsies around 35 times a year.
The county”s Board of Supervisors would have to approve the use of the lab facility for autopsies. Then a forensic pathologist from a third-party company would be contracted, Merchant said, noting the laboratory was completed in April.
Merchant said a pathologist is paid around $1,000 per autopsy.
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