Pima Medical Examiner Unveils State-of-the-Art $45 Million Facility

Pima County’s Medical Examiner’s Office has officially transitioned to a new, state-of-the-art facility, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. The $45 million building marks a significant upgrade from its old cramped quarters. Dr. Greg Hess, the office’s director, along with various county officials, celebrated the opening of the 34,000-square-foot space designed to improve services.

Construction commenced in November 2022, completing earlier this month. The new office received approximately $4 million from the American Rescue Plan, aiding the Medical Examiners’ Indigent Interment Program. Pima County officials emphasized that the facility will enhance the Medical Examiner’s Office ability to serve the community more effectively.

Annually, the office handles around 4,600 death cases, including those resulting from unnatural causes and mysterious circumstances. Dr. Hess underscored the importance of their role in providing families with closure. “They need the death certified. They need documents to move on,” he explained.

In addition to their core functions, the office collaborates with local agencies to monitor rising overdose rates, traffic fatalities, and heat-related deaths. They also play a crucial role in connecting families with organ and tissue donation opportunities, bridging gaps between agencies and those in need.

The facility’s design allows for the expansion of the Indigent Interment Program, specifically catering to individuals who die without identification in the county’s urban and desert areas. Hess noted the facility’s potential to improve how the office addresses the needs of this vulnerable population.

Historically, by 2011, it became evident the previous building was inadequate. Located on a medical campus, the old office lacked the necessary space and resources. Under various contracts, the Medical Examiner also serves neighboring counties including Apache and Santa Cruz. In 2023 alone, they conducted numerous autopsies and external examinations, addressing complex cases, including those related to migrants crossing the Arizona-Mexico border.

Since 2000, over 4,000 human remains have been recovered in the area, a responsibility the office takes seriously. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, they strive to identify these remains, conducting investigations to reunite families with their lost loved ones.

The new office is equipped with 13 investigator workspaces, six autopsy stations visible to observers, and cold storage for up to 300 decedents. Hess noted that the observation gallery enhances the safety and efficiency of autopsies by keeping law enforcement out of confined spaces where they could be hazardous.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the office had to use refrigerated trucks to manage space issues. Now, the facility can accommodate an extensive number of bodies without compromising care and dignity. An anthropology lab within the facility further supports their efforts in identifying remains.

The design features a public art courtyard and a columbarium for ashes, while also providing sensitive areas for families to identify loved ones. The facility includes two cremation retorts to efficiently manage both human and animal remains from the Pima Animal Care Center, reflecting a trend toward more humane solutions for deceased pets.

Grijalva, Chair of the Pima County Board, expressed her appreciation for the enhanced capabilities this facility provides. The new infrastructure and technology will better equip the Medical Examiner’s Office to fulfill its vital role in public health and legal processes. “This facility represents years of effort and collaboration,” she remarked, highlighting its significance in supporting the community’s needs.