Inside the L.E. McHenry Medical Examiner’s Facility: A Look at Death Investigation in Brevard County. The Brevard medical examiner’s office determines cause of death, manner of death, and circumstances surrounding each case. The facility, although outdated, still gets the job done. Autopsies can range from two to 11 per day, with drug overdose being the most common cause of death. The office relies heavily on science, fingerprints, and DNA for identification purposes. The medical examiner’s office plays a crucial role in providing closure to families and aiding law enforcement in criminal cases.

1. Inside operations of Brevard medical examiner’s office
2. Examination procedures at Brevard medical examiner’s office.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Guest parking at the L.E. McHenry Medical Examiner’s Facility in Rockledge, Florida is virtually nonexistent, according to Mike Szczepanski, the chief investigator at the Brevard medical examiner’s office. The facility, which has been in operation for almost 40 years, is located past some mobile homes on a dead-end street. FLORIDA TODAY recently had an exclusive look behind the locked doors of the medical examiner’s office, which is only accessible to authorized personnel.

The medical examiner’s office is responsible for investigating deaths in Brevard County that are deemed to be unnatural, such as those resulting from car accidents, suicides, or murders. It is mandated by law that every death in the county must be reported to the medical examiner’s office, although not every death is investigated. Szczepanski explained that they decide whether or not to take on a case based on their discretion.

On any given day, the medical examiner’s office can conduct anywhere from two to 11 autopsies. The length of each autopsy varies depending on its complexity, ranging from one to five hours. Drug overdoses are the most common cause of death seen at the facility, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being a leading contributor. Szczepanski emphasized that fentanyl does not discriminate based on age, recounting cases of both older adults and young individuals succumbing to its effects.

Contrary to what is often depicted on television, it is not necessary for individuals to come to the medical examiner’s office to identify bodies. Szczepanski stated that advancements in technology have eliminated the need for in-person identification. Instead, the medical examiner’s office relies on scientific methods such as fingerprints and DNA analysis.

The bodies are transported to the back of the building through a garage door, leading to a large cooler capable of holding up to 60 bodies. Additionally, there are four portable coolers that can each accommodate eight bodies. The coolers, also known as the morgue, are kept at a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its age, the building still effectively serves its purpose, although it lacks the latest technological advancements.

At the heart of the facility is the autopsy room, which Szczepanski likened to a kitchen. There are three workstations, although typically only two autopsies are conducted simultaneously. The room is equipped with stainless steel sinks, counters, and tables, along with various tools such as knives, clippers, and scissors. All organs are removed from the body, weighed, and measured. In cases of murder, samples of organs are collected as potential evidence. Otherwise, organs are placed in biohazard bags, which are then sealed and inserted back into the chest cavity before the body is stitched up.

Maintaining cleanliness is of utmost importance in the autopsy room. It is cleaned daily with bleach, and a professional biohazard cleaning is performed every six months. Access to the autopsy room requires passing through an air-lock door into a small chamber-like area, ensuring that the smell of death does not permeate the entire building.

The medical examiner’s office is responsible for determining the cause of death, manner of death, and circumstances surrounding each case. The staff handles a wide range of cases, from recently deceased individuals to bodies that have been decaying for months. Szczepanski noted that dealing with deceased children is particularly challenging for everyone involved.

While the building itself may be outdated, housing paper files dating as far back as 1966, the office has transitioned to digital files in recent years. However, there are still rooms filled with shelves of paper records. Szczepanski acknowledged that the time has come to consider whether renovating the existing building or moving to a more modern and technologically advanced facility would be more cost-effective.

Another room in the facility contains boxes of unidentified skeletal remains that have been found over the years. Szczepanski explained that skeletal remains are frequently discovered due to the large homeless population in the area, with the office receiving skeletal remains approximately once a month.

Maintaining a sense of detachment is crucial in the line of work at the medical examiner’s office. Szczepanski, who served in the Marine Corps and spent 14 years in law enforcement before joining the medical examiner’s office, emphasized the ability to switch off from work when leaving the office. Having a supportive family at home enables him to focus on his personal life.

Despite the often gruesome and unglamorous nature of their work, the staff at the medical examiner’s office finds fulfillment in providing closure to families. Szczepanski attributed this to the dedication and teamwork of the investigators, forensic technicians, and forensic pathologists who gather medical history and perform autopsies. Their collaborative efforts ensure that the office can fulfill its role in helping law enforcement and the state attorney’s office hold individuals accountable in criminal cases.

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1. “Inside operations of Brevard medical examiner’s office”
2. “Processes within Brevard medical examiner’s office”.