The office had been operating with three full-time forensic pathologists before the departures, a county spokesperson confirmed. The spokesperson declined to say exactly how many pathologists have left, but sources put the number at four.

Forensic pathologists are essential to the office's work: they perform autopsies and external examinations and issue death certifications. The office handles roughly 700 autopsies and 850 external examinations each year, according to an undated county hiring document for the chief forensic pathologist position.

Despite the losses, county officials say autopsies are still being performed. A county spokesperson said the office is using contractors and state resources to maintain service.

"The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office is operational and performing autopsies, despite recent leadership retirements and staff changes," spokesperson Alex Burnett said in an email. "Proactive measures have been implemented to assist with continuous service by partnering with the State and other providers to continue to provide the services required by statute."

The staffing challenges reflect a broader national problem. The National Association of Medical Examiners estimates there are about 930 practicing forensic pathologists in the United States, not all of them full time — roughly 60% of the 1,500 the field needs.

"Like all medical disciplines, forensic pathology faces a growing need for a larger physician workforce that the U.S. cannot fill on its own," NAME President Michelle Jorden said in an email. "The forensic pathology shortage is exacerbated by the number of educational and training years required to produce a board-certified forensic pathologist ... The number of years needed to become a forensic pathologist approach that of a Neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon."

Jorden said the impact of the shortage varies by jurisdiction. "Depending on where one practices, it may be significantly difficult to replace a forensic pathologist, especially in rural areas where forensic pathologists may be sparse," she said. "Effects of the shortage can vary across jurisdictions and may lead to increased caseloads, delays in performing autopsies which can lead to delays in death certification."

For Mecklenburg County residents, delays in death certification can complicate everything from insurance claims to estate settlements to the resolution of criminal cases that hinge on autopsy findings. The office's reliance on outside contractors and state resources also raises questions about long-term capacity as the county continues to grow.

The county has posted a job listing for the chief forensic pathologist position, signaling an effort to rebuild the office's permanent staff. It remains unclear how long the office will depend on contracted and state-provided pathologists, or whether the recent departures have affected autopsy turnaround times. County officials did not provide a timeline for filling the vacancies.