Mississippi chief medical examiner hiring big step

Mississippi chief medical examiner hiring big step

Mississippi has a chief state medical examiner for the first time since 1995 – a step in hopes of improving the state’s death investigation system and reducing conflicts with county coroners.

Dr. Mark LeVaughn is taking over the top spot, joining Deputy State Medical Examiner Dr. Adel Shaker, who was hired five months ago.

“It’s a mighty difficult job with an incredible amount of pressure, both in doing the autopsies and and in courtroom testimony,” said former Public Safety Commissioner Louisa Dixon. “I wish them the best because we certainly needed centralized high quality autopsies both for criminal matters and public health issues.”

Clarion Ledger
3/14/11