The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has been awarded $47,835 in grant funds from the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant, which is administered by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs. This is the third year the Coroner’s Office has been awarded funds to continue to employ a Forensic Autopsy Technician who assists with the examination and documentation of forensic findings during forensic autopsies completed at the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.
In 2023, the Charleston County Coroner’s Office completed 718 forensic autopsies. Of those, 538 were conducted at the Coroner’s Office, while the remaining 180 were completed at a local hospital. Those numbers are anticipated to rise in 2024. An updated count is available on the Coroner’s website.
“This grant plays a critical role in supporting the work we do every day. The Forensic Autopsy Technician position allows us to enhance the quality and efficiency of our investigations, ensuring that every case is handled with the utmost care and precision,” said Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal. “We are grateful for this continued support as we work to provide closure and answers to the families affected by these tragedies.”