LA PLATA COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE
CAROL J. HUSER, M.D.
CORONER
Summary and Comments:
The biggest change in 2009 was in the number of deaths occurring in La Plata County—up 35% from 285 to 385. The only explanation I can think of is an increased number of critically ill patients transferred from Farmington to Mercy Medical Center. I suspect this explains only a minority of that increase.The number of deaths reported to the coroner rose 28%, from 100 (a historically low number) in 2008 to 128 (closer to historical average) in 2009. Seven years after taking office, I still find the year-to-year variations remarkable. As neither the governing statutes nor my policies have changed, I can point to nothing but random statistical chance.
The autopsy rate, which reflects my philosophy of practice, varies to a lesser degree and is primarily tied to the proportion of non-natural deaths. Since 2003, I have performed an average of 49 autopsies per year (from 44 to 56), representing an average of 42 percent of cases reported. For the current year, the numbers are 54 autopsies; 44 percent.
Eight people committed suicide in 2009, down from eleven in 2008 (one of the highest numbers in my tenure). As a percentage of total deaths (2%), it is one of the lowest I’ve seen. The percentage change reflects both a real decrease in the number of suicides and a striking increase in the overall death rate.
The typical preponderance of males is seen in all categories. The higher percentage of male deaths is a consistent finding across death investigation jurisdictions and is attributed to increased risk-taking behavior among males and a somewhat greater reluctance to seek medical care.
The autopsy distribution reflects my philosophy of practice (which, after 20-plus years, is unlikely to change). It is my belief that it is in the interest of both the public and survivors to autopsy victims of violent death and that it is always better to err on the side of doing an autopsy (it’s easier to explain why you did something than why you didn’t).
The monthly distribution comparison continues to be random. I have seen no consistent seasonal or monthly variation.
The age distribution basically follows a normal distribution skewed toward older age groups.
The percentage of deaths accepted under the coroner’s jurisdiction in 2009 (24%) that were a direct or indirect consequence of substance abuse remained nearly constant (23% in 2008) and down from 29% in 2007. I saw a great improvement in this category when calculated as a percentage of all those who died in La Plata County of any cause (7.5% relative to 13% in 2008).
Twenty-three of the 54 people who were autopsied were under the influence, as were 14 of 30 people who died by accident, five of eight who committed suicide, one victim of homicide and half those whose cause of death was undetermined.