Shawano County Coroner Brian Westfahl has ordered a dozen autopsies so far this year, with most of the them conducted as far away as Fond du Lac or Madison.
Starting in 2026, he will have the opportunity to use a new site much closer — the Marathon County Forensic Science Center.
The public safety committee voted Dec. 4 to approve an agreement with the nearby forensic facility for 2026. Westfahl said it will save time sending remains to the southern part of the state, as well as time waiting for results.
“Marathon County has opened up a forensic science center,” he said. “They’ve already signed on three counties. We were going to Fond du Lac or UW (University of Wisconsin) in Madison.”
He said the cost of about $1,800 per autopsy is similar to current charges.
The Brown County Medical Examiner’s Office also conducts autopsies.
“We also use them,” Westfahl said. “It all depends on who’s available.”
The center opened in August and is the eighth facility in Wisconsin that conducts autopsies.
There are two forensic pathologists on site there, but there is a nationwide shortage.
Dr. Leah Schuppener, the chief medical examiner at the facility, said there are about 700 forensic pathologists nationwide, but there is a need for about 1,200.
That shortage is part of the reason the center was designed with education in mind. The center works with postsecondary schools and hosts an observation suite for students to have professional learning opportunities.
Of the 12 autopsies ordered in 2025, three of them came in November, Westfahl said.
Also in his monthly report, he noted there were 20 cremations last month, bringing the 2025 total to 228.
There were also two organ procurements (four for the year), 10 hospice deaths (for a total of 146), two suicides (six total), two traffic fatalities (nine total) and one homicide (one total).
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
