The performance of autopsies and the maintenance of medical evidence returns to Montgomery County May 2 with the opening of the new county-run forensic center in The Woodlands, Tx area, after a four-month hiatus.
The county was forced to begin sending all autopsies to the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office last November when the local service run by Southeast Texas Forensic Center, Inc. made the decision to close its doors.
With the purchase of a six-acre tract of land for $1 million that same November, county commissioners ensured that the outsourcing of forensic tasks would be a temporary arrangement.
According to Phyllis Rainey, assistant county attorney, the project to renovate existing buildings on the property purchased by the county is on budget despite $76,000 in unanticipated costs as a result of legislation and HGAC issues.
Rainey added, ""We have been able to cover that with savings. We were able to get x-ray equipment for $43,370 instead of $125,000, and we've had quite a bit of savings from building maintenance helping us out with furniture. They've done a marvelous job.""
$1,115,250 is the amount the county anticipated the total capital outlay for the forensic center, and as of March 28, the total stood at $1,094,000, Rainey stated.
Rainey stated, ""We don't have all of the final numbers in yet – we are still ordering equipment. But I am happy to report that we are on budget.""
According to Ann Carr, director of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, she is pleased with the progression of the center and excited to see a facility of its kind being built in the county.
Carr stated, ""I would highly recommend that (the commissioners) go to the forensic center – it is outstanding. It is very impressive.""
The forensic center is located in The Woodlands area by luxurious communities like Town Center and Windsor Lakes.