The Edmond Sun

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March 10, 2010

News of ‘deal’ puzzles OU president

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — A plan to move the beleaguered state medical examiner’s office to Edmond is still alive.

Senate Bill 738, authored by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, calls for the office to be moved to the University of Central Oklahoma campus as part of a growing forensic science community.

Edmond is already home to the OSBI Forensic Science Center, located near the UCO campus along Second Street, and the UCO Forensic Science Institute, located on the UCO campus. The state lab was opened in March 2008. This is the first semester for classes in the institute.

Wednesday, several media outlets were reporting news of a land offer by University of Oklahoma President David Boren. State Rep. Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, confirmed that Boren is offering to donate land near the medical examiner’s office, currently located by the OU Medical Center, The Associated Press reported.

In a statement issued to The Sun, Boren questioned the timing of the report.

“I am puzzled because our position has been consistent that we support any decision by the Legislature in regard to the ME’s office,” Boren said. “The university is not advocating one location over another. I have never taken the initiative to involve myself in this issue. If any action is required on the part of the university to implement a legislative decision, of course, we would cooperate and take that action but we are not seeking to influence the Legislature’s decision.” 

UCO Executive Vice President Steve Kreidler said the Edmond university wants to become a national leader in forensic science research. The university has been asked by ME and House leadership to accommodate a new facility, Kreidler said.

“They need a new facility wherever it is,” Kreidler said.

In June, the National Association of Medical Examiners determined that the Oklahoma City ME’s office fails to meet the minimum criteria established for accreditation.

The Oklahoma City ME’s office performs about 1,400 autopsies/views per year, according to the association’s inspection findings. About six to seven pathologists would be needed for this workload. There was not enough space to accommodate the needed extra tables.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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