Fresno County Grand Jury
2025-2026
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
We commend the Fresno County Coroner’s Office staff for their consistent compassion, professionalism, and resilient service to families during some of the most difficult and traumatic moments in their lives.
F2:
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office employs only one half-time forensic pathologist, which does not provide adequate in-house forensic pathology coverage.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R5:
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop a three-year forensic pathology staffing stabilization plan to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F7)
F3:
There are 1,164 open cases creating a three-year backlog with no plan to alleviate the backlog.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R2:
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop and implement an immediate plan to reduce the existing backlog of 1,164 open cases to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F3)
R5:
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop a three-year forensic pathology staffing stabilization plan to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F7)
F4:
Due to the absence of a full-time Forensic Pathologist, the Coroner’s Office relies heavily on contracted Forensic Pathologists to perform routine and complex autopsies, provide case consultations, and deliver court testimony.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R3:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should direct the Chief Administrative Office to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing annual expenditures on contracted forensic pathology services with the cost of employing full-time Forensic Pathologists to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
R4:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should evaluate whether the current Sheriff-Coroner model provides optimal administrative oversight for forensic pathology to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
R5:
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop a three-year forensic pathology staffing stabilization plan to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F7)
F5:
Over the past three years, the County Purchasing Department increased spending on contracted Forensic Pathologists, even though these funds could have supported multiple full-time Forensic Pathologist positions under industry standards.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R3:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should direct the Chief Administrative Office to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing annual expenditures on contracted forensic pathology services with the cost of employing full-time Forensic Pathologists to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
R4:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should evaluate whether the current Sheriff-Coroner model provides optimal administrative oversight for forensic pathology to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
F6:
The current Master Service Agreement expires January 8, 2027, after which continued reliance on contracted services will require renewal, rebidding, or the development of an alternative staffing model.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R3:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should direct the Chief Administrative Office to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing annual expenditures on contracted forensic pathology services with the cost of employing full-time Forensic Pathologists to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
R4:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should evaluate whether the current Sheriff-Coroner model provides optimal administrative oversight for forensic pathology to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
F7:
The hybrid staffing model creates operational inefficiencies such as scheduling challenges, case continuity concerns, delayed report completion, and limited institutional knowledge retention.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R3:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should direct the Chief Administrative Office to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing annual expenditures on contracted forensic pathology services with the cost of employing full-time Forensic Pathologists to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
R4:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should evaluate whether the current Sheriff-Coroner model provides optimal administrative oversight for forensic pathology to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)
R5:
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop a three-year forensic pathology staffing stabilization plan to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F7)
F8:
The current facility lacks essential operational and public spaces necessary for effective and compassionate service delivery. | P a g e
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)
R6:
The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office should prioritize funding for three modular buildings in its 2026-2027 budget to include essential operational and public spaces to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F8) | P a g e