Rising Populations Spark New Push for Medical Examiners in Texas Counties

Williamson County’s rapid population growth has highlighted the increasing need for a dedicated medical examiner’s office, especially as death investigations grow more complex. The county’s Justices of the Peace, who currently handle death inquests, have been overwhelmed by the rising number of cases, with the population nearing 700,000.

Justice of the Peace Evelyn McLean, who oversees Precinct 3, frequently travels across the county, sometimes covering more than 40 miles in one night, to respond to death scenes. With multiple deaths per day, the justices are tasked with investigating homicides, suicides, accidental deaths, overdoses, and natural causes. They often rely on private forensics services or the neighboring Travis County medical examiner for autopsies. The absence of a county medical examiner has led to a backlog and added strain on these officials.

The county has seen a 122% increase in deaths over the past decade, making it clear that the need for a medical examiner is growing more urgent. In response, Williamson County commissioners have agreed to hire four death investigators, who will assist the justices in handling death calls, investigating scenes, and preparing reports. These specialists, set to start in January, are expected to ease the burden on the justices and help streamline investigations. This move is seen as a step toward establishing a full medical examiner’s office, though some county officials believe the county could fund such an office sooner rather than later.

The issue of whether counties should establish medical examiner offices is one that has been debated for years in Texas. While counties with populations over two million are required by law to have one, other large counties, like Williamson, have not yet met the threshold for mandatory offices. Lawmakers like Senator Tan Parker have pushed for more flexibility, allowing counties to form regional partnerships with neighboring counties to provide these services until they are able to establish their own facilities.

Williamson County’s leaders and justices are hoping that state law changes or local initiatives will eventually bring the county the medical examiner’s office it desperately needs, with the first steps already underway through the hiring of death investigators. This marks a historic day for the county as it begins to address its growing death investigation challenges and works toward a long-term solution.

source