DeLand, FL - Volusia County's new, full-time Medical Examiner, James Fulcher, officially begins his tenure tomorrow. Sixteen candidates applied for the position after interim medical examiner Dr. Jon Thogmartin promoted the position at a national conference in December. A committee comprised of the sheriff, a funeral director, the state attorney, Daytona Beach’s police chief, and the chairman of the state medical examiner’s board selected Fulcher from six finalists. Newly appointed County Manager George Recktenwald offered the position to Fulcher in early April.
Fulcher has high praise for staff members who kept things going in difficult circumstances. He feels confident that once the new facility is in place that achieving name accreditation will only be a matter of time. Name accreditation is not mandatory but gives overall credibility to the entire operation. When you have it, Fulcher says it gives credibility to court testimony.
Fulcher is a board-certified forensic pathologist and said new hires will also need to be board-certified. The Medical Examiner's office will continue using a national toxicology lab for autopsy results because it's hard to keep up with all the new types of drugs created by home chemists.
A new building is a part of why Fulcher took the job. He said he met with the County a couple of weeks ago to discuss the design and location of the new facility. Fulcher believes that as of right now, it could be located near the Volusia County law enforcement complex.
All in all, Fulcher sees a strong future for the office as County officials are providing good funding for the office and a great practice environment. He says he plans to conduct high-quality death investigation, stay away from scandal, pass along information on public health issues and always be very factual in autopsy findings.
