WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Almost every story about death and destruction mentions first responders racing to save victims. But when it is too late to save the victims, another group arrives — the last responders.
The six medical investigators with the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center are examples of last responders. The team recently took on additional duties.
Forensic medical investigators
“They’re the last responders to hundreds of death scenes every year,” Shelly Steadman, the center’s director, told the Sedgwick County Commission on Wednesday. “They’re the last responder that a family member speaks to before their loved one is transported to the Forensic Science Center for their last medical examination.”
The work is challenging. Deaths happen at all hours of the day and in extreme conditions, such as 110-degree heat or freezing temperatures.
Steadman said the six medical investigators respond and listen to 4,000 death reports a year. Based on state law and statute, they determine which deaths fall under the coroner’s jurisdiction. Steadman says that is usually around 1,200 deaths.