Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences plans to stop hauling bodies to its state labs for autopsies beginning Jan. 19.
Department Director Michael Sparks said the department has to cut 10 percent from its budget - or about $1.4 million - due to the state's budget problems. He said hauling bodies is not mandated by state law and discontinuing it would save about $400,000.
The head of the Alabama Coroners Association, Lee County Coroner Bill Harris, says the decision puts coroners in a bind. He said some counties, including his own, don't have morgues.
Lauderdale County Coroner Andy High said the decision means counties would have to arrange to transport bodies to the department and then return the bodies to a funeral home.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)