ADRIAN — The Medical Examiner’s Office is working toward a regional expansion and staffing increase across Lenawee, Jackson, and Hillsdale counties.
At Thursday’s Criminal Justice Committee meeting, officials said 27 percent of deaths investigated this year have required autopsies, putting pressure on limited staff.
The office is proposing two new Jackson-based positions: a full-time lead field investigator and a part-time pathology assistant. Costs would be shared between the three counties. Leaders also discussed forming a regional advisory committee with two representatives from each county to guide operations and spending.
Officials said the current funding model, based on number of autopsies, is unpredictable and may be replaced by a population-based formula for budgeting.
The proposal is still in development and will be brought back to each county for approval once finalized.