Commission still uncertain on body transport issue

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The county commission is still uncertain as to how the county should handle the transportation of bodies to and from autopsies.
The state has stopped all transporting of bodies due to cuts throughout all agencies. That move left counties looking for ways to move the bodies to and from forensic offices.
Coroner Elzie Malone discussed the costs of purchasing body bags and identification tags Friday during the commission's regular meeting. Malone also discussed the costs of having a unit based in Huntsville to carry the bodies to and from autopsies if needed.
Sheriff Larry Plott and Malone estimated that eight to 10 bodies are sent to forensics each year from Franklin County.
The commission voted to table any measures on the matter until they could collect more information.
In other business, the commission: