NEWS RELEASE

Volusia County unveils new medical examiner's facility with celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony

The $18.4 million project provides the county with a state-of-the-art facility for medical examiner staff to complete death investigations in a more timely and accurate manner.


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  • | 5:00 a.m. January 20, 2024
Karla Orozco, Volusia County Medical Examiner operations manager; Matt Reinhart, Volusia County Councilman; Billie Wheeler, former Volusia County Councilwoman; George Recktenwald, Volusia County manager; Jeff Brower, Volusia County Council chair; Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood; Dr. James Fulcher, chief medical examiner; Barbara Girtman, former Volusia County Councilwoman; Tim Smith, president and CEO of Wharton-Smith; and Chris Lewis, Wharton-Smith project manager. Courtesy photo
Karla Orozco, Volusia County Medical Examiner operations manager; Matt Reinhart, Volusia County Councilman; Billie Wheeler, former Volusia County Councilwoman; George Recktenwald, Volusia County manager; Jeff Brower, Volusia County Council chair; Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood; Dr. James Fulcher, chief medical examiner; Barbara Girtman, former Volusia County Councilwoman; Tim Smith, president and CEO of Wharton-Smith; and Chris Lewis, Wharton-Smith project manager. Courtesy photo
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Volusia County officially cut the ribbon for its new medical examiner's facility on Friday, Jan. 19. 

The $18.4 million project provides the county with a state-of-the-art facility for medical examiner staff to complete death investigations in a more timely and accurate manner. The facility will also provide unique and valuable education opportunities to local law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, hospitals, and universities. 

The new building is equipped with advanced technologies and enhancements, including ultramodern autopsy stations, support for mass disaster events, a complete building automation system, and increased security features. Another noteworthy addition to the new facility is a dedicated meeting room, offering a place for family members to meet with staff in privacy.

 One of the more innovative additions is a Lodox digital X-ray machine that can capture comprehensive radiographic images for increased accuracy during investigations. Also, the new 20,000-square-foot building will help the Medical Examiner’s Office achieve accreditation through the National Association of Medical Examiners, a feat that was not possible in the previous building.

“I am confident this building will serve this county for decades, and in these walls, we will seek the answers, we will provide for justice, and we will provide high-value education," Chief Medical Examiner Dr. James Fulcher said.

 

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