Agenda - 04/19/05 JEO Mtg. - Laserfiche WebLink

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I~ge 4 The Sheriff's r~us¢~e¢ly District Attorney's Office, largely coordinates and facilitates investigations connected to When hiking outdoors in (~..~,~_~. i deaths and interacts with county investigators, police departments, pathology technicians, winter think 'small and (~.~,~ and other specialists connected to the medical examiner's office and with the families or col- functional' when it comes ~/ ~ leagues of the deceased. Frank has been with the Medical Examiner's Office for 19 years and to survival ge.ar. Dark- ~-I has occupied several other critical positions as well (Search and Rescue, EMT, Ski-Patrol). ness and cold can sneak Without local pathologists, however, many bodies for autopsy are being sent to Portland. up quickly and strand you or put you The home team feels that a pathologist drawn from our own community may provide more at serious risk. valuable insights in certain investigations, owing to knowledge of the local public health svs- Your vehicle: Have a good battery tern, the local law enforcement agencies, and first hand-knowledge of scenes of death. in the vehicle, carry extra blankets, For three decades Lane County has used a small morgue facility within Sacred Heart food, flashlights/batteries, gloves, Medical Center in Eugene. Mr. Ratti is assisted in death investigations by former paramedic plastic tarp, and tire chains. Lynn M. Walter, by a local anthropology specialist, Jeanne McLaughlin, and by a surgical Your person: Small compass, fire starter materials, matches/cigarette nurse, Robert Christensen, RN. Each is registered with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Johnnie Bergman, employed as an autopsy assistant for Sacred t teart lighters, flashlight/batteries, two large Hospital since 1971 also assists during autopsies. Mr. Bergman's services can include assist- garbage bags for emergency shelter, ing at autopsies required for medical reasons, brain tissue screenings for diseases (such as half-inch closed cell foam for sitting Mad Cow Disease), obtaining specimens for toxicology analyses, dental records matching, on, 50-ft of parachute cord for make- examination of unknown skeletal remains, identification of accident or crime victims, and shift shelter, 50' of bright surveyors' flagging and a marking pen. Take more. The retail value of an average autopsy can be approximately $1,200. Civilian next-of- along personal medications, too. kin may order an autopsy if the medical examiner declines, but the cost defaults to the citi- Include a cell phone or a GPS device, zen ordering it. One common thread in the careers of this team is the attention to detail and the thor- too, even though the cell may not oughness with which the work is done--both for the sake of professionalism and for rea- function where you are. Stay hydrated and stay dry. Those sons of personal responsibility. It's not without considerable pride that this coun~ investiga- tions team performs its work. Toughest part of the job? Mr. Ratti regularly communicates two things will go a long way toward with the deceased's next of kin or colleagues, and this interaction is predictably sensitive, but keeping you comfortable and alive. ~ necessary. ~ Lane County Sheriff's Office ............. 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, OR 97401