Atascosa County officials are sounding the alarm over alarming delays in autopsy reports, with some cases pending for as long as 500 days. During a recent meeting, a representative highlighted the pressing need for the county to establish its own medical examiner's office, emphasizing that the current reliance on external services leaves Atascosa County at a disadvantage.

The discussion revealed that the county's wait times for autopsy reports are significantly longer than desired, with some reports taking up to 300 days to complete. This situation has left the county feeling like "second fiddle" to other medical examiner offices, particularly Bexar County, which has been handling cases involving Atascosa residents. For instance, an autopsy report from a smuggling-related death in Bexar County took nearly two weeks to process, raising concerns about the efficiency and prioritization of services.

The representative stressed that having a dedicated medical examiner's office would not only improve response times but also ensure that Atascosa County residents receive timely and prioritized services. The urgency of this issue was underscored by the mention of pending cases, including officer-involved shootings, which were not even included in the current wait time statistics.

As the county grapples with these delays, officials are now faced with the critical decision of moving forward with plans to establish their own medical examiner's office, a step that could significantly enhance the quality of forensic services available to the community.