b'Beaufort County CoronerMission StatementThe mission of the Beaufort County Coroners Oce is to conduct medico legal death investigations in a thorough, independent, professional,and compassionate manner. We strive to be ambassadors of all decedents and an advocate to the survivors. We are committed to rising abovenormal expectations and strive to provide the best services possible for the citizens and visitors of Beaufort County.Department DescriptionThe Beaufort County Coroners Oce consists of seven (7) full-time and ve (5) part-time employees. The Coroner, three (3) Deputy Coroners,one (1) Administrative Deputy Coroner, a Pathologist, an Autopsy Technician, a part-time accreditation manager, and four (4) part-time CoronerTransport Drivers are currently on sta. The general duties of the oce are governed by state statutes. The services provided involvedetermining the manner and cause of deaths, nal determination of deaths, positive identication, family notications, scheduling autopsies,decedent transportation, conducting inquests, and issuance of cremation permits. The oce also provides many other services related to thoselisted. Those receiving the services are the decedents, next of kin, Beaufort County residents and visitors.Performance MeasuresFor calendar year 2022, over 2000 deaths were reported to the oce. The oce issued 1272 cremation permits. A Pathologist and MorgueManager on sta now conduct in-house autopsies. In-house autopsies have proved to be extremely benecial to the agency and the public:This in-house service provides faster autopsy results.Eliminates MUSC scheduling.It eliminates transportation to MUSC Charleston.It eliminates the MUSC fees for autopsies.Reduces the number of individuals involved in the chain of custody for evidence.Provides a faster turn-a-round time for the funeral home to receive the decedent.It allows the family of the decedent to confer with the Pathologist.An unnecessary autopsy can now be determined by the Pathologist.Budget Highlights and Special NotesThe oce received a Department of Justice forensic improvement grant totaling $113,227, which funded the accreditation process along withadditional equipment. The grant is valid through October 2023 with a possible extension. In November 2022, the Beaufort County CoronersOce was granted a certicate of accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. This process involvedcompliance with 288 standards and bringing the agencys policies up to the industry standard. The BCCO is one of only nine agenciesaccredited in South Carolina.Expenditures Summary$960,050 -$47,104(-4.68% vs. prior year)Beaufort County, SC | Budget Book 2024 Page 200'