Sheriff-Coroner’s Office and Morgue Inspection

Published: March 05, 2014 5 pages

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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 4 findings

The close to 400 delinquent final autopsy reports due from FMG show a lack of effective oversight by the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office impose contractually stipulated penalties for late autopsy reports while evaluating the suitability of its continued relationship with FMG for forensic services.

The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has not exercised means within its control to bring about the timely issuance of final autopsy reports by imposing the 2-percent daily fine for overdue reports. 26

Related Recommendations (1)

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors give priority to exploring possibilities for remodeling or relocating the existing Coroner’s Office and Morgue.

The Coroner’s Office lacks adequate storage for the extensive records currently in cardboard boxes stacked throughout the facility.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Coroner’s Office and Morgue adopt technological improvements, including a modern file management system and hands-free recording devices in the autopsy room.

Coroner operations can be negatively affected by delays resulting from failure to use up- to-date file management software tailored to its needs or hands-free recording equipment during autopsies.

No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Office's

August 15, 2014 • 5 pages • 7 responses • Score: -3 (+1, 2, -4) View Details ▾

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7 responses to findings and recommendations

The close to 400 delinquent final autopsy reports due from FMG show a lack of effective oversight by the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

, we have been delaying payment to FMG by an additional 30 days. The current Agreement specifies a 30 day payment term; the Sheriff has not been authorizing payment on FMG invoices until 60 days have passed. Staff have also developed a proposed amendment to the current Agreement which will contain a split payment provision whereas a portion of the fee will be due upon the performance of an autopsy with the remainder of the fee to be paid upon completion of the report. This new split payment provision will be included in any new forensic pathology service agreement. F3. The Coroner's Office la...

The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office impose contractually stipulated penalties for late autopsy reports while evaluating the suitability of its continued relationship with FMG for forensic services.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

This recommendation has not yet been fully implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The recommendation to impose penalties is in the process of implementation. The Sheriff's Office has delayed payment to FMG by 30 days as a first step in imposing financial penalties. We have continued to evaluate additional financial penalties while balancing concerns regarding the completion of existing cases and need for on-going pathology services. The Sheriff's Office has been in continual consultation with County Counsel to determine the most productive approach in dealing with the current FMG ...

The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has not exercised means within its control to bring about the timely issuance of final autopsy reports by imposing the 2-percent daily fine for overdue reports. 26

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The respondent partially disagrees this finding. In cooperation and consultation with County Counsel, the Sheriff's Office has demanded that FMG complete and turn in all late reports by January 31, 2015 or fines will be imposed for all delinquent reports, including retroactive late fees. It has been determined that the best course of action at this time is to give FMG time to complete all reports prior to imposing fees. The main factor in this determination is, should FMG terminate the current contractual relationship or go out of business as a result of the fines, the County would have no one...

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors give priority to exploring possibilities for remodeling or relocating the existing Coroner’s Office and Morgue.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented. The Sheriff's Office continually recommends Coroner Bureau/Morgue remodeling projects to the Board of Supervisors through the Sonoma County annual Capital Project Plan (CPP). All County projects, including Coroner/Morgue projects, are ranked for funding based on a complex matrix of criteria. The Sheriff will continue to participate and cooperate with any analysis with regards to the remodeling or relocation of the Coroner Bureau/Morgue through the CPP process. R3. The Coroner's Office and Morgue adopt technological improvements, including a modern fi...

The Coroner’s Office lacks adequate storage for the extensive records currently in cardboard boxes stacked throughout the facility.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The respondent wholly disagrees with this finding. Coroner records are stored at County Information Services Department (ISD) managed records storage facilities and are warehoused in a downstairs storage area at the Coroner/Morgue office. The records that are stored in cardboard boxes in areas toured by the Grand Jury are only there due to the uncompleted case files. When the backlog of cases is eliminated they will all be moved to proper storage. The boxes viewed by the Grand Jury in the investigator's office area have been temporarily placed there for the convenience of Coroner Bureau staff....

The Coroner’s Office and Morgue adopt technological improvements, including a modern file management system and hands-free recording devices in the autopsy room.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

This recommendation has both been implemented (case file management R3a) and will not be implemented (hands free recording R3b) because it is not warranted. R3a The recommendation for a modern file management system is currently being implemented. Work on the Coroner case file management system is underway. Sheriff's Office staff, in cooperation with the County ISD, will continue to identify the latest, modern file management software solutions, while at the same time capitalizing on the modules available in the existing I- Leads software system as an interim improvement. R<sub>3</sub>b As s...

Coroner operations can be negatively affected by delays resulting from failure to use up- to-date file management software tailored to its needs or hands-free recording equipment during autopsies.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

Coroner operations can be negatively affected by delays resulting from failure to use upto-date file management software tailored to its needs or hands-free recording equipment during autopsies. (Page 33) RESPONE: The respondent wholly disagrees with this finding. Although cumbersome and requiring some duplication in data entry, the Coroner's Bureau current records system has not caused any delays which negatively affect coroner operations or the release of information to appropriate parties. The Sheriff's Office is continually looking for ways to improve efficiency through innovation and tech...

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office